Update: PennDOT has restored speed limits on affected roadways
Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several roadways in the region.
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on Interstate 80 and Interstate 180.
PennDOT is advising motorists in north central Pennsylvania to take extra care when driving in winter weather.
The department currently is treating roads in the region and will continue to do so in preparation for snow, sleet and freezing rain forecast for tonight into tomorrow morning.
Drivers still could encounter slick spots on the roadway, especially on bridges and overpasses. PennDOT reminds motorists to slow down and drive according to the conditions they encounter when winter storms hit.
Motorists in north central Pennsylvania are advised that PennDOT is pre-treating roads today in advance of the potential winter weather forecast to begin this evening.
Anti-icing, as it is called, involves wetting the highway with salt brine before a storm’s arrival. The solution lowers the freezing point of water and slows or prevents ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm.
Motorists in Columbia County are advised there is a lane closure on Interstate 80 westbound at mile 233 in Hemlock Township due to a crash involving multiple vehicles.
Both lanes were closed temporarily so there is a backlog of traffic moving through the area. Motorists should be alert and watch for slow-moving traffic.
Crews are cleaning up the crash site and both lanes are expected to be open within two hours.
Update: All lanes are now open on I-80 eastbound at mile 249 in Luzerne County.
Update 18:25: The right lane is now open on I-80 eastbound at mile 249 in Luzerne County. The left lane remains closed for cleanup.
Motorists are advised that Interstate 80 eastbound is closed at the Mifflinville exit in Columbia County due to a vehicle crash at mile 249 in Luzerne County.
A detour is in place using Exit 242 (Mifflinville) and Route 93.
Route 2002 (Route 61/Byrnsville Road) between Centralia and Ashland in Columbia County is now open.
The road was closed Thursday evening due to a hole that developed in the road. After an assessment by PennDOT, it was determined the hole was caused by a drainage pipe that failed, causing a loss of fill under the roadway.
The hole has been backfilled as a temporary repair and the roadway opened. A PennDOT maintenance crew will replace the failed pipe at the site on Monday, September 12. Traffic will be guided through the work zone by flaggers during the pipe replacement.
Update Sep 9, 2016: Roadway open, pipe replacement set for next week.
Motorists in Columbia County are advised that Route 2002 (Route 61/Byrnsville Road), is closed between Ashland and Centralia due to a hole opening up in the road.
A detour is in place using Route 54 west to Route 61 in Mount Carmel and Route 61 to Centralia.
PennDOT is assessing the situation to determine what repairs need to be made to reopen the road.
A PennDOT bridge crew will apply an epoxy coating to several bridge decks in Columbia and Montour Counties next week, August 15 through August 19, weather permitting. The bridge projects are at the following locations:
Columbia County
Weather permitting, line painting will begin Monday, July 11, on Interstate 80 in Columbia County. This work then will be on I-80 in Montour County on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and in Union County on Friday.
There will be moving lane closures while this work is being performed. Motorists should be alert and watch for slow-moving vehicles.
A night paving project on Interstate 80 westbound in Columbia County is scheduled to begin Sunday night.
The project will be from the Luzerne County line to the westbound rest area. It includes milling and resurfacing, guide rail upgrades and pavement markings. A section of the ramp to the rest area will be paved.
Work will be from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night through Friday morning. Lane restrictions will be in place during work hours. All lanes, including the milled lane, will be open during non-work hours.
