Due to the severity of Saturday’s winter storm, PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit to 45 mph on a number of major highways in the region.

The latest highways to have the speed limit reduced are the Parkways East and West, and Interstate 79, 376 and I-279 (Parkway North) and I-579.

Route 28 also has its speed limit reduced.

In Beaver County, the Beaver Valley Expressway (I-376) is affected and in Lawrence County, I-376 and I-79 are affected.

Those highways were added to the list, which already includes I-70 in Westmoreland and Washington counties and I-79 in Washington and Greene counties.

On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, and they will not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel.

But if you must, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Motorists should always allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should account for special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

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