PennDOT Closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day Holiday The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Saturday, January 17, 2026, through Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2026 is available online. If you are planning to visit one of PennDOT’s Online Messenger Service Centers, please call ahead for hours of operation during holidays.
PennDOT: Shapiro Administration Leads NEVI EV Expansion Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the opening of eight new federally-funded Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations in Pennsylvania built using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program. The new stations bring Pennsylvania’s total EV stations opened under the program to 28, opening 22 charging stations in 2025 through $13 million in federal investment. Since the first Pennsylvania NEVI station opened in December 2023, NEVI-funded charging stations in Pennsylvania have supported over 53,000 charging sessions, over 6.4 million estimated miles driven, and reduced CO2 emissions by more than 1,300 metric tons. “The Shapiro Administration made reliable and accessible clean transportation a priority for Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We’re expecting an influx of visitors to the Commonwealth this year, and we’re providing the infrastructure to make green travel accessible for everyone.” New stations since October 2025 include: Francis Energy – Breezewood Located at Pizza Hut along I-70 (Exit 147) Tesla – Shrewsbury Located at Shrewsbury Commons along I-83 (Exit 4) Francis Energy – Mercer Located at Shell along I-80 (Exit 15) Francis Energy – Newburg Located at McKinney Station Restaurant and Ice Cream along I-76 (Exit 201) Tesla – Somerset Located at Wendy’s along I-76 (Exit 110) Applegreen Electric – Newburg Located at Blue Mountain Service Plaza along I-76 (Mile Marker 202) Sheetz – Sewickley Located at Sheetz along I-79 (Exit 68) Applegreen Electric – Hunker Located at New Stanton Service Plaza along I-76 (Mile Marker 77) Additionally, PennDOT is powering forward with more investments through the NEVI program, beginning with the Corridor Connections Funding Opportunity, which was released on October 7, 2025. This funding round focuses on implementing EV charging stations along major roadways to strengthen long-distance travel beyond the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Projects funded from the Corridor Connections program will improve range confidence for drivers who are considering travel with an EV across and throughout the Commonwealth. PennDOT is accepting proposals until January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Please visit the PennDOT website for more information including a map of eligible locations, webinar recording, and additional resources. PennDOT plans to invest most of its remaining NEVI funds in upcoming Community Charging Funding Opportunities throughout 2026. These funding rounds will be regional and all publicly available locations within the region will be eligible to pursue funds. Check the Community Charging Funding Rounds webpage for updates or contact ra-pdevcorridors@pa.gov to be added to PennDOT’s NEVI email distribution list for updates. The U.S. Department of Transportation is currently withholding Congressionally-apportioned funding that would have supported EV construction in Pennsylvania and created new, good-paying jobs. That is why Governor Josh Shapiro sued the Trump Administration once again for breaking the law and taking dollars out of the Commonwealth. The Governor also sued the Trump Administration alongside 15 other states over the summer, in a lawsuit which reinstated the NEVI program and helped ensure projects like the one being announced today to continue throughout Pennsylvania.
PennDOT Opens Newly Constructed Green Ridge Street Bridge PennDOT has officially opened the newly constructed Green Ridge Street Bridge on Route 6011 in Scranton, Lackawanna County. The project began in early 2024 with the installation of a temporary bridge, which allowed traffic to continue crossing over the Lackawanna River while the new bridge was built. Work will continue through 2026 as the temporary bridge is removed and new curbs, sidewalks, drainage systems, and traffic signals are installed on the north side of the road. The estimated completion date of the project is the fall of 2026. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict4
PennDOT Announces Completion of I-84 Twin Bridges PennDOT has announced the completion of the Twin Bridges on Interstate 84, which carry traffic over the Lackawanna County Trail Corridor and an abandoned railroad bridge between Dunmore and Roaring Brook in Lackawanna County. The westbound bridge reopened this afternoon, ahead of schedule, following five years of construction. Since the project began in 2020, traffic in both directions on I-84 had been maintained on the existing Twin Bridges while half of the new eastbound bridge was built in the median between the two original structures. In 2022, two eastbound lanes were shifted onto this newly constructed portion, where they remained through 2023. Once the full eastbound bridge was finished, those eastbound lanes were moved to the west side of the new structure, and westbound traffic was temporarily shifted onto its east side. This traffic configuration allowed crews to demolish the original westbound bridge and construct the new westbound span. The project also includes rehabilitation of the abandoned Erie & Wyoming Railroad bridge for future integration into the Lackawanna County Trail Corridor. Completion of the project is anticipated in summer 2026. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects. Subscribe to PennDOT news and find transportation results in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict4.
PennDOT: Shapiro Administration Invests $30M in Traffic Safety The Shapiro Administration announced that 57 municipalities across the Commonwealth will receive nearly $30 million through the Green Light-Go Program to improve traffic safety and mobility by reducing congestion and improving traffic flow. Since Governor Shapiro took office, $96 million has been distributed to municipalities through the program. Many of the funded projects will upgrade traffic signal detection and control technology, allowing signals to respond to real-time traffic conditions, reduce congestion, and improve safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists. Last week, the Shapiro Administration announced that 54 highway, bridge, bike, and pedestrian projects in 34 counties across Pennsylvania have been selected for more than $47 million in funding through the Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF). “Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, our top priority is serving the people of our Commonwealth by improving the services that make a real difference in Pennsylvanians’ lives,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll. “The safety improvements supported by the Green Light-Go program will help municipalities reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, and keep Pennsylvanians moving safely and efficiently. I’m proud that PennDOT continues to partner with communities to deliver real results.” Below is a list of awarded projects by county. Green Light-Go grants are provided as reimbursements to municipalities for projects that improve the efficiency and operation of existing traffic signals. These projects are funded through the FY 2025–26 budget. Eligible improvements include, but are not limited to, installation of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, traffic signal retiming, special-event traffic planning, traffic signal monitoring, and upgrades to modern signal technologies. Allegheny County City of Pittsburgh: $1,394,029 to replace traffic signals at North Avenue/James Street, Lorenz Avenue/Steuben Street, and Mifflin Road/Interboro Avenue. Green Tree Borough: $42,400 to update signal detectors at Carnahan Road and Greentree Road. Green Tree Borough: $293,392 to modernize signal equipment at Noblestown Road and Mansfield Avenue. McCandless Township: $443,409.12 to upgrade adaptive signal systems along Perry Highway (Route 19). Monroeville Borough: $498,114.75 to modernize the intersection of Monroeville Boulevard, Jamison Lane, and Oxford Drive. Moon Township: $193,792 to upgrade signal equipment at Beaver Grade Road and Thorn Run Road. Mount Lebanon Township: $322,115 to modernize signal equipment at Bower Hill and Parkview Drive. Neville Township: $335,120 to upgrade signal equipment at Neville Road and Grand Avenue. Oakmont Borough: $195,516 to upgrade signal equipment at Allegheny River Boulevard and Hulton Road. O’Hara Township: $238,712 to modernize signal equipment at Alpha Drive and Gamma Drive. Ohio Township: $155,832 to upgrade signal equipment at Mount Nebo Road and Camp Horne Road. Scott Township: $145,192 to modernize the intersection of Hope Hollow Road and Greentree Road. Sewickley Borough: $229,168 to replace outdated signal equipment at Beaver Street/Broad Street and Thorn Street/Broad Street. Wilkinsburg Borough: $266,000 to replace the signal at East Swissvale Avenue and Wallace Avenue. Beaver County Center Township: $132,024 to upgrade signal equipment at Pleasant Drive (Route 3017) and Autumn Street. Berks County Boyertown Borough: $687,949.20 to upgrade intersections at East Philadelphia Avenue (Route 73) with Reading Avenue (Route 562) and Madison Street. Leesport Borough: $155,160 to upgrade detection and controller equipment at Wall Street, Peach Street, and Cherry Street. West Reading Borough: $228,404 for signal retiming and equipment upgrades at multiple intersections. Bucks County Lower Southampton Township: $662,355 to upgrade signal equipment at multiple intersections along Bustleton Pike and Bristol Road. Perkasie Borough: $425,240 to replace outdated signal equipment at Ridge Road and Park Avenue. Butler County Cranberry Township: $94,800 to upgrade detection and controller equipment at multiple intersections. Cranberry Township: $83,350 to expand fiber-optic traffic signal communications. Seven Fields Borough: $117,520 to replace outdated sensors with radar detection. Centre County College Township: $503,700 to upgrade signal equipment at Curtin Road and University Drive. Chester County East Whiteland Township: $191,870 to modernize Lancaster Avenue and Conestoga Road. Upper Uwchlan Township: $920,306 to upgrade detection and controller equipment at Route 100 and Graphite Mine Road. West Whiteland Township: $389,640 to upgrade multiple intersections along Route 100 and Commerce Drive. Cumberland County East Pennsboro Township: $1,156,340 to modernize 16 intersections. Hampden Township: $774,900 to upgrade detection and controller equipment at multiple intersections. Dauphin County City of Harrisburg: $387,380 to modernize intersections in the Allison Hill neighborhood. Derry Township: $764,320 to upgrade detection and controller equipment at multiple intersections. Delaware County Darby Township: $448,908 to modernize West Oak Lane, Rively Avenue, and Pine Street. Lansdowne Borough: $120,000 to upgrade signal equipment at Baltimore Avenue and Union Avenue. Erie County City of Erie: $746,320.44 to reconstruct the signal at West 12th Street and Pittsburgh Avenue. Mill Creek Township: $1,799,885.76 to upgrade signal equipment along Route 5. Wesleyville Borough: $449,079.84 to reconstruct the intersection of Buffalo Road and Station Road. Fayette County North Union Township: $353,640 to modernize intersections along U.S. 119. South Union Township: $122,800.80 to modernize New Salem Road and Matthew Drive. Lancaster County City of Lancaster: $91,476.80 to study and remove unwarranted traffic-control signals. City of Lancaster: $732,095.20 to modernize multiple intersections. Earl Township: $103,215.60 to modernize U.S. 322 and Railroad Avenue. East Lampeter Township: $258,040 to modernize Route 340 intersections. Lititz Borough: $53,600 to upgrade detection equipment. Manheim Township: $50,000 to install LED traffic signal modules at multiple locations. Lebanon County City of Lebanon: $368,000 to modernize traffic equipment at Maple Street/Jonestown Road/North 12th Street. Lehigh County City of Allentown: $798,480 to upgrade signal equipment at 19th Street/Roth Avenue/Walbert Avenue. Luzerne County City of Pittston: $38,640 to modernize Broad Street, Water Street, and Main Street. Mercer County City of Sharon: $762,534 to modernize multiple intersections. Montgomery County Limerick Township: $246,559 to upgrade the Traffic Management Center on Ridge Pike. Lower Merion Township: $385,596.17 to modernize Lancaster Avenue and Elliott Avenue. Norristown Borough: $419,713.11 to modernize East Fornance Street and New Hope Street. Northampton County City of Bethlehem: $298,480 to modernize approximately 100 signals citywide. City of Bethlehem: $370,608 to replace LED signal bulbs at approximately 90 intersections. City of Easton: $339,416 to modernize Seitz Street and West Berwick Street. Moore Township: $158,800 to modernize Route 512 and Route 946. Palmer Township: $748,044 to modernize Milford Street, Greenwood Avenue, and Kingwood Avenue. Northumberland County Milton Borough: $433,267.58 to modernize Routes 254 and 405. Philadelphia County City of Philadelphia: $3,421,440 to upgrade approximately 750 traffic controllers. City of Philadelphia: $2,287,880 to modernize multiple intersections in Northwest Philadelphia. Venango County City of Oil City: $22,000 to modernize traffic control infrastructure. Washington County Peters Township: $897,480 to modernize intersections along Route 19. York County City of York: $164,550 to modernize intersections along U.S. 30. Additionally, the 2025-26 budget signed by Governor Shapiro allocates over $1.8 billion in funding to repair roads and bridges and continues to sustainably fund the Pennsylvania State Police by reducing their reliance on the Motor License Fund. Since taking office, the Governor has secured $391.7 million in additional funding for roads and bridges. Under the Shapiro Administration, 17,722 miles of roadway have been improved and work has advanced on 1,540 state and local bridges. According to the Federal Highway Administration, in 2023 — Governor Shapiro’s first year in office — Pennsylvania repaired or replaced more than 200 bridges, resulting in 90 fewer bridges rated in poor condition, the largest improvement of any state in the nation. For more information from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), subscribe to local PennDOT news or statewide PennDOT news.
PennDOT: Shapiro Administration Highlights Resources for Pennsylvania’s Older Drivers Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Pennsylvanian Insurance Department (PID), and the American Automobile Association (AAA) shared safe driving advice and resources available for older Pennsylvanians with residents at the White Rose Senior Center in York. “Mobility is essential to quality of life at any age, especially as friends and families gather to celebrate the holiday season,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet. “While many older drivers have a lifetime of valuable driving experience to draw from, PennDOT continually seeks to balance the safety of our roadways with the need for independence and autonomy.” In 2024, there were 21,986 crashes involving at least one driver aged 65 or older that resulted in 308 total fatalities. This represents 19.8% of all crashes and 27.3% of all fatalities. Older drivers generally have fewer crashes per driver than the national average – but they have more crashes per mile of driving. “Ensuring that older adults have the resources they need to remain active in and connected to their communities is an important focus of the Shapiro Administration,” said Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Jason Kavulich. “Driver safety and working with our partners to provide accessible and flexible transportation alternatives are important parts of how older adults navigate in our community. Pennsylvania lottery proceeds help to fund alternative services in transportation for our older citizens.” Pennsylvania has a network of shared-ride service providers dedicated to keeping older adults mobile, safe, and engaged in their community. The Senior Shared Ride Program allows seniors to ride at a reduced fare. More than 2.7 million senior shared ride trips were provided in FY 2024-25. Additionally, the Free Transit Program for Seniors allows citizens aged 65 or older to ride for free on a local, fixed-route service whenever local public transportation is operating. During FY 2024-25, there were more than 25 million senior Free Transit Trips. While every person ages differently, aging typically brings certain — sometimes subtle — physical, visual, and cognitive changes that could impair an older person’s ability to drive safely. Older drivers and their families should work together to identify potential issues that may affect driving, outline courses of action to assist the older driver, and plan for when it’s time to hang up the keys. “Some factors that may pose challenges for drivers of all ages, but especially older drivers include adverse winter weather conditions, longer nights, and heavy holiday traffic,” said Captain Adam Reed, Assistant Director of Community Outreach for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “To help ensure their safety on the roadways, older drivers should make sure their eye exams are up-to-date and understand how prescribed medications could affect their driving. And please remember…all drivers should always buckle up!” To help older drivers who may have difficulties driving, PennDOT partnered with PA Department of Human Services and transit agencies to develop an online tool called Find My Ride that allows older drivers to access free ride services online. The app allows transit agencies to process applications more efficiently, so users can access benefits more quickly. The app can be found at: findmyride.penndot.pa.gov, or at www.pa.gov/penndot by clicking on Traveling in PA, then Public Transit Options. “All drivers are required to carry adequate financial protection for their vehicles, and there are ways to reduce the cost of auto insurance,” said Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Market Regulation David Buono. “For instance, older drivers often experience changes in their family or work life, which impacts how much they drive. Due to this, PID strongly encourages older drivers to regularly review their auto insurance policy to make sure they are not paying for coverage they no longer need.” A list of approved mature driver courses available can be found online on PennDOT’s Mature Driver Improvement Courses page. Signs that can indicate it may be time to limit or stop driving altogether include: Feeling uncomfortable, fearful, or nervous when driving. Unexplained dents/scrapes on the car, fences, mailboxes, or garage doors. Frequently getting lost and frequent “close calls” (i.e. almost crashing). Slower response times, particularly to unexpected situations. Difficulty paying attention to signs or staying in the lane of traffic. Trouble judging gaps at intersections or highway entrance/exit ramps. PennDOT offers older drivers and their loved ones a resource to help assess older drivers’ abilities and offer guidance on next steps if their medical condition is reported to PennDOT. The Seniors Driving Safely publication series can be downloaded for free from the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website. The series also includes a publication designed to guide family and friends of older drivers in what can sometimes be difficult conversations about deciding to stop driving, as well as information for healthcare providers on PennDOT’s medical reporting program. Additionally, CarFit is an educational program created by the American Society on Aging and developed with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. CarFit is designed to help older drivers find out how well they currently “fit” their personal vehicle, to learn how they can improve their fit, and to promote conversations about driver safety and community mobility. The following safe-driving habits, which should be routine at any age, are especially useful to older drivers: Plan ahead: lengthy car trips should be made during daylight hours. Morning may be best because most people aren’t as tired as they are in the afternoon. Don’t drive in rush-hour traffic if you can avoid it. Plan trips after 9:00 AM or before 5:00 PM. Know what roads near home are most congested and avoid them. When driving long distances, especially in winter, call ahead for weather and road condition updates. Look ahead. Good drivers get a jump on trouble by looking far down the road and making adjustments before encountering problems that may involve other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or animals. Maintain a safe speed. This depends on what the road is like, how well the driver can see, how much traffic there is and how fast traffic is moving. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you. The PA Driver’s Manual advises that you should always keep a 4-second gap between you and the vehicle in front of you. Pennsylvanians with insurance questions can contact the Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau online or at 1-877-881-6388. Additional information on older driver safety and mobility resources is available at both PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services and the Department of Aging websites.
PennDOT: Shapiro Administration Highlights School Bus Safety The Shapiro Administration released the results of Operation Safe Stop, an annual school bus enforcement and education initiative aimed at enhancing school bus safety for students across the Commonwealth by curtailing violations of Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law. Operation Safe Stop is a one-day targeted enforcement and education event where law enforcement officials and participating schools documented drivers violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, emphasizing the frequency of these violations and highlighted the importance of driving safely around students and school buses. During this year’s Operation Safe Stop, participating school districts and law enforcement agencies witnessed 188 violations of the law, up from the 176 reported last year. “Just one incident of passing a stopped school bus is too many, and this many violations in just one day is unacceptable,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Responsibly sharing the road with students and school buses helps keep all of us safe.” The School Bus Stopping Law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm activated to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop, unless they encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway clearly separated by a divider, such as a concrete barrier or grassy median. “Although there are steep penalties for violating Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law, they pale in comparison to a tragedy that could occur if either a driver or a student is not paying attention to their surroundings,” said Corporal Zeina Black, Permits and Bus Safety Unit Supervisor with the Pennsylvania State Police. “If a driver is stopped by law enforcement and convicted of disobeying Pennsylvania’s School Bus Stopping Law – the penalty is a $250 fine, five points on your driving record and a 60-day license suspension. The fine increases to $300 if someone is caught by a stop arm camera.” “Student safety in school zones and at school bus stops is of the utmost importance, requiring the undivided attention of all motorists. Local school districts work hard to identify the safest locations possible for school bus stops and provide training for staff to foster greater safety for all students,” said Department of Education Deputy Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education Amy Lena. “Vehicle operators can contribute greatly to improving the safety of our students by watching for the flashing lights of school buses and always stopping when students are boarding and exiting the busses.” Some safety tips for students to remember while waiting for or loading and unloading the bus include: Get to the school bus stop at least five minutes early, so you won´t have to run across the road to catch the bus. When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic. Line up at least five giant steps away from the curb or the roadway to wait for the bus. Never run after the school bus if it has already left the bus stop. Never push when getting on or off the school bus. For more information about school bus safety, visit PennDOT’s School Bus Safety Tips page on the Driver Vehicles Services website.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Veterans Day The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2025 is available online. If planning to visit one of PennDOT’s Online Messenger Service Centers, please call ahead for hours of operation during holidays.
PennDOT Follows Shapiro Administration’s Focus on Winter Preparation Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) Director of Maintenance John DelRicci today amplified the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to prepare the Commonwealth for the winter, highlighted job opportunities, and provided guidance on how Pennsylvanians can gear up for the upcoming winter travel season. “Public safety is at the core of the Shapiro Administration’s mission, and PennDOT and our partners are prepared for the season ahead,” Secretary Carroll said. “We urge the public to be our teammates in making this season a safe one – prepare yourselves and your vehicles before winter begins. We also encourage people to apply to join our full-time or temporary teams to help serve our communities.” The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at www.511PA.com, and during the winter they can find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. 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. To help the public prepare for the season and share information about winter services, PennDOT offers operational information and traveler resources on its winter web page. The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts. As part of its mission and commitment to safety, the PA Turnpike has been preparing its vehicles and system to support roadway safety during the winter months. More than 600 equipment operators and safety patrol personnel as well as traffic operators are ready to provide 24/7 staffing and roadway assistance throughout the winter. The PA Turnpike understands the importance of supporting efficient and reliable travel and works to keep the PA Turnpike system as free of snow and ice as possible. “We do our best to stay on top of winter weather to make the Pennsylvania Turnpike as safe as we can –because safety is core to our values, but we also need motorists to use safe driving habits and exercise caution during winter weather conditions,” DelRicci said. “As we gear up for winter, we need to work collectively to keep our employees and customers safe. Avoid driving during winter weather events when possible and when it’s not – reduce your speed, exercise extreme caution when you see amber or green lights and give plenty of distance between yourself and the plow trucks.” With an estimate of over $207 million budgeted for this winter’s statewide operations, PennDOT deploys nearly 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 512,000 tons of salt on hand across the state, and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter. PennDOT is actively seeking temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department’s full-time staff. Details on minimum requirements – such as possession of a CDL – as well as application information, are available at www.employment.pa.gov/penndot. Through the same website, job seekers can apply for other non-operator winter positions such as diesel and construction equipment mechanics, welders, clerks and more. If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Additionally, seat belts should always be worn in a vehicle. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities, and 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways. Eleven of the people who died weren’t wearing a seat belt, and 17 of the fatalities were in crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane. Motorists should prepare for potential wintry weather by ensuring they have supplies in their cars before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies. Southeastern region winter preparations Carroll and DelRicci were joined today by PennDOT’s Delaware County Maintenance Manager Anthony Goreski, who highlighted PennDOT District 6’s readiness for the winter season across the five-county Philadelphia region. District 6 is responsible for over 10,000 snow-lane miles on state highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The District 6 fleet consists of 182 state-owned snowplow trucks and 262 contractor trucks and has more than 97,000 tons of salt on hand. Assisting PennDOT this winter in the Philadelphia region are 89 municipalities that entered into winter maintenance agreements covering more than 2,500 snow lane miles, whereby local crews salt and plow specified state roads in each municipality.
PennDOT Engineering District 4 Traffic Bulletin The PennDOT Engineering District 4 Traffic Bulletin advertises current and upcoming travel restrictions scheduled on state-owned highways in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. The Traffic Bulletin is updated in real-time during normal business hours. Please note: The schedule is subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. The Traffic Bulletin link will be emailed on Fridays each week but can be viewed at your convenience any time of the day. To view the current Traffic Bulletin, click here: Traffic Bulletin. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways 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 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1.
