Due to the severity of the winter storm impacting the region, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has temporarily reduced speed limits and implemented travel restrictions on several highways, including Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.
Speed Reductions in Effect
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel as road conditions deteriorate. Those who must be on the roads will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
- Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County
- Interstate 78 in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties
- Interstate 80 in Carbon and Monroe counties
- Interstate 176 in Berks County
- Interstate 380 in Monroe County
- US 22 in Lehigh and Northampton counties
- US 222 in Berks and Lehigh counties
- US 422 in Berks County
- PA 33 in Monroe and Northampton counties
Vehicle Restrictions in Place
In addition to speed reductions, Tier 1 vehicle restrictions have been implemented on Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County.
Under these restrictions, the following vehicles are prohibited from traveling 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, unloaded, or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a commercial motor vehicle (CMV)
- Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers
- Recreational vehicles/motorhomes
- School buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches
- Motorcycles
Photo above courtesy of 511PA as of 4:10pm, on February 15th, 2025 at the Delano Exit.