Vehicle restrictions slated for Pennsylvania routes as Tuesday snowstorm approaches

A section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike east of New Stanton is among major state roadways that will be subject to traffic restrictions as transportation officials prepare for a winter snowstorm set to pass through the region beginning early on Tuesday.

PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission announced restrictions that will go into effect beginning at 3 a.m. Tuesday on several roadways:

• The Pennsylvania Turnpike between the New Stanton and Breezewood exits;

• The entire lengths of Interstates 78 and 99 and Route 33;

• Interstate 80 from the interchange with I-79 to Milepost 173, near Lamar in Clinton County;

• Route 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey border.

• The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension, between Interstates 78 and 80.

The following vehicles will be restricted: motorcycles; passenger vehicles towing trailers; recreational vehicles and motor homes; school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches; unloaded or lightly loaded delivery and box trucks; tractors without trailers, with unloaded or lightly loaded trailers, or with tandem trailers lacking availability of chains or alternate traction devices.

More stringent restrictions prohibiting all commercial vehicles as well will be in effect on:

• Interstate 80 from Milepost 173 to the New Jersey border;

• I-81 from I-78 to the New York border;

• The entire lengths of Interstates 84, 180 and 380;

• The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension from I-80 to Clarks Summit (Exit 130).

Between midnight Monday and 10 a.m. Tuesday, between 3 inches and 5 inches of snow is expected in the higher elevations of Westmoreland, Fayette and Indiana counties, according to a National Weather Service advisory.

Anywhere from 1 to 3 inches of snow is expected in Allegheny County, while the low areas of Westmoreland will see 2 to 4 inches, according to National Weather Service meteorologist Colton Milcarek.

Motorists were advised to prepare for slippery road conditions.

While temperatures will be trending cooler, they still will be above average for most of the week. High temperatures are forecast to be in the upper 30s to the low- to mid-40s, Milcarek said.