PennDOT Reduces Speed Limit on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County Due to Winter Weather

Due to the severity of the winter weather, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on major roads in the east central Pennsylvania including in Schuylkill County.
As of an update from PennDOT District 5, just after 10:30pm, PennDOT reduced the speed limits on the follow Interstates to 45mph.

· Interstates 78 in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties;
· Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.

Commercial vehicles must stay in the right lane while the speed restriction is in place on these roads. Additional restrictions on other roadways could be added depending on changing conditions.

In addition to the speed restrictions, vehicle restrictions were implemented earlier today. Vehicle restrictions reflect Level 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan, and are in effect on the following roadways:

• Interstate 78 in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties.
                            
Under Level 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:

• Tractors without trailers;
• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers;
• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers;
• Enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV;
• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers;
• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes;
• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches; and
• motorcycles.


The purpose of the restriction is to help ensure the interstates remain open during the most challenging conditions of the winter storm. When conditions improve, PennDOT will remove the travel restrictions.