News

As the winter season continues, Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) are urging motorists to prepare their vehicles and take time to familiarize themselves with winter safety laws as part of Winter Driving Awareness Week, running through January 14.

"You can take just a few simple steps to be prepared and help keep you and others safe," Governor Wolf said. "I urge all Pennsylvanians to prepare for winter driving and upcoming inclement weather."

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.

Columbia County on the air in recognition of the 15 year anniversary of 9/11 and everyone who lost their lives on that day.

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

Motorists traveling on Interstate 80 are advised there is a lane restriction due to a vehicle crash in the construction zone on I-80 westbound at mile 227 in Montour County.

A backlog of traffic is developing. Motorists should be alert and watch for stopped or slow-moving traffic. The area should be avoided, if possible.

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.