The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has implemented Tier 2 and Tier 3 travel restrictions in preparation for an approaching winter storm.

The storm, anticipated to impact the Northeast on Thursday, has led PennDOT to restrict travel for specific categories of commercial vehicles. These restrictions will take effect starting at midnight on Thursday, December 5.

  • Tier 3 Vehicle Restrictions — (No CMVs except those with chains on board): I-79 from PA-5 to Exit 116, I-86, I-90
  • Tier 2 Vehicle Restrictions — (No Empty or Loaded Double CMVs): I-80 from the Ohio Line to Exit 173

Here are PennDOT’s Tier 1 through 5 vehicle restrictions:

Tier 1

  • Tractors without trailers
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers, or tank trailers
    • A lightly loaded CMV is defined as a vehicle that is less than 1/3rd of the GVWR (vehicle weight and cargo weight combined)
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers
  • Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV
  • Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pick-up trucks, etc.) towing trailers, to include:
    • Recreational travel trailers and fifth-wheel trailers
    • Enclosed cargo trailers
    • Open cargo trailers
    • Vehicle transport trailers
  • Recreational vehicles/motorhomes
  • School buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches without available chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs)*
  • Motorcycles

Tier 2

Tier 1, plus the following:

  • CMVs towing loaded tandem trailers without chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs)*
  • All school buses, commercial buses, and motor coaches regardless of the availability of chains or ATDs

Tier 3

Tier 1 and 2, plus the following:

  • All CMVs towing loaded tandem trailers regardless of the availability of chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs).
  • All other loaded CMVs except for:
    • Those carrying full coverage tire chains for at least two drive wheels, or
    • Those with approved Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs)*

Tier 4

Tier 1, 2, and 3, plus the following:

  • All CMVs regardless of loading or availability of tire chains or approved Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs)
  • Referred to as a complete CMV restriction

Tier 5

Tier 1, 2, 3, and 4, plus the following:

  • All passenger vehicles

Follow 511pa.com for the most up-to-date travel information from PennDOT.