Mr. Wolf issued a proclamation of disaster Monday morning that will allow the Department of Transportation and Turnpike Commission to restrict speeds on interstate highways and limit some some commercial traffic.
The National Weather Service is predicting 3 to 6 inches of snow in the Pittsburgh area beginning Monday night through Tuesday, but a foot or more could fall in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania.
The governor has planned a press conference for Monday afternoon at Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency headquarters to update Pennsylvania residents about the state’s storm preparations.
“State agencies continue to take proactive steps to ensure Pennsylvania is ready for the incoming winter weather and Pennsylvanians should take their own precautions and prepare for adverse conditions, especially for travel,” Mr. Wolf said in a statement.
"We are preparing for the most significant part of the storm to hit the eastern half of the state from Monday night through Tuesday’s commute with significant winds to follow and cause additional concerns. I ask residents and commercial drivers across the commonwealth to prepare to avoid unnecessary travel on roadways during this time – as to let road crews and emergency responders do their jobs and minimize dangerous travel.”
Beginning at 10 p.m. Monday, the speed limit will be reduced to 45 mph on all interstates and expressways from Interstate 99 east and on the turnpike from the Bedford interchange east. In addition, there will be a ban on tandem truck trailers, empty trailers, towed trailers, buses, recreational vehicles and motorcycles on those roads.
The proclamation strongly encourages motorists to delay all unnecessary travel and heed local road closures. The proclamation allows state agencies to waive bidding and contract procedures to use all available resources and personnel needed to deal with conditions.
For conditions on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, check out www.paturnpike.com and check the “Current Alerts” ticker at the top for restrictions.
As part of its preparation, the state is re-deploying snow crews to the eastern part of the state, where the brunt of the storm is expected to hit. Teams consisting of five plow trucks, 10 equipment operators and a supervisor will be sent from PennDOT's northwestern district to the Scranton area; from the Pittsburgh area to Monroe County near Stroudsburg and from southwestern Pennsylvania to the Lehigh Valley.
All of PennDOT’s 11 regions will also have crews on round-the-clock duty beginning Monday evening. The department has 4,800 equipment operators, more than 2,000 plow trucks and 49 snow blowers and can hire private contractors as needed.
“We are preparing for significant snow and winds and the impacts that those conditions could have on travel and public safety during and after the storm,” said Richard D. Flinn Jr., director of the PEMA.
Mr. Flinn said the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center at PEMA headquarters outside Harrisburg will activate at 10 p.m. on Monday with staff from PEMA and other state agencies.
In Pittsburgh, the city has issued a Level 2 snow alert, which means crews will have 32 hours after the snow stops to treat streets. Up to 60 vehicles will be deployed from 10 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday, increasing to 80 vehicles on 12-hour shifts beginning at 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The city also will have two additional medic units available overnight Monday.
Before heading out, motorists can check the city’s Snow Plow Tracker to see which streets have been cleared. Updates will also be shared via Twitter: @pghdpw, @pgh311 and @citypgh.
Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1470.
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