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, Safe Driving for Teens Emphasized

The Shapiro Administration shared the importance of driver safety with young drivers at high schools across the Commonwealth during the annual Teen Driver Safety Forum.

The forum was held at Northeastern High School in Manchester and featured a panel of representatives from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE), Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID), and local safety advocates. The panel answered questions from an in-person and online audience of students on topics ranging from safe driving tips to how to get a driver’s license.

“We can all help make highways safer by working together to help new drivers gain experience and knowledge,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “Parents and teachers can help set a good example for teens by making safe driving choices.”

Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death among teens. From 2020 to 2024, there were 78,266 vehicle crashes in Pennsylvania involving at least one driver between the ages of 16 and 19, resulting in 479 fatalities. 63 percent of those crashes involved a teen driver driving too fast for conditions (22,662 crashes), driver inexperience (7,452), driver distraction (13,372), or careless turning (13,771).      

“An important factor in ensuring that a young driver develops good habits behind the wheel is parental involvement, starting long before their teen gets a learner’s permit,” said Captain Adam Reed, Assistant Director, Office of Community Engagement for the Pennsylvania State Police. “We all can influence positive behaviors among teen drivers through our own actions by eliminating distractions and obeying all traffic laws, including seatbelt use.”

The Shapiro Administration is working to reduce these risks by encouraging young drivers to limit the number of passengers riding with a teen driver, obey all road rules, and use common sense.

Parents of teen drivers should consider the following recommendations to help their children become safe and responsible drivers:

  • Have regular conversations with your teen about safe driving skills, even before they get their learner’s permit.
  • Establish a parent/teen driving contract.
  • Encourage teen drivers to avoid distractions behind the wheel, such as talking or texting on their cell phone.
  • Limit the number of passengers teen drivers may have in their vehicle. Drivers under 18 may not carry more than one passenger under the age of 18 who is not an immediate family member unless one parent or guardian is in the vehicle. After the first six months of incident-free driving on a junior license, the limit is increased to no more than three passengers under the age of 18 who are not immediate family members unless one parent or guardian is in the vehicle.
  • Limit dawn, dusk, and nighttime driving until the teen driver gains more experience and enforce a curfew. Remember, state law prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds with a junior license from driving between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM.
  • Gradually increase the amount of time and distance teen drivers are allowed to drive.
  • Enforce observance of speed limits and other rules of the road.
  • Ride with teen drivers occasionally after they receive their license to monitor driving skills.
  • Set a good example with responsible driving habits.

Further reinforcing safe driving habits among teen drivers, the PA Turnpike, PED, and PennDOT teamed up to launch a statewide training program last year to improve the safety of new drivers and protect roadway workers. Pennsylvania’s New Driver Work Zone Safety Program is an online training that utilizes engaging videos, infographics, knowledge checks, and powerful testimonials to educate new drivers on work zone laws, signage, and key facts, while also presenting real-life scenarios to enhance understanding.

“Driving is a highly complex skill that requires years of practice to perfect,” said Acting Department of Education Secretary Dr. Carrie Rowe. “Driver education training programs are invaluable in teaching novice drivers, especially teenagers, the critical skills they need to successfully and safely navigate on the roads.”

Driver education programs also offer an extended benefit to young drivers. Pennsylvania Insurance Department reminds young drivers that, in addition to shopping around, there are ways that they can proactively keep their rates lower, such as taking advantage of discount opportunities by taking driver’s ed classes and maintaining good grades. Teens who focus on making good decisions behind the wheel, such as always wearing a seatbelt, eliminating distractions, and putting phones away while driving, tend to avoid accidents and driving violations, which are key to keeping rates low.

“Auto insurance is an important financial protection for students and their families. While many high school students are excited to get their driver’s license, rates for young drivers, usually paid by parents, are high, because young, inexperienced drivers have a higher likelihood of filing insurance claims,” said Pennsylvania Insurance Deputy Commissioner David Buono. “As new drivers develop good driving habits, it is also necessary that they understand the importance of remaining insured and the role of auto insurance, including the coverages they buy.”

For more information on teen driver safety, visit PennDOT’s website.

PennDOT, Shapiro Administration Expands Statewide Truck Parking Options

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike), and Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association officials announced that the Commonwealth is adding 1,202 truck parking spaces in 133 locations by the end of 2026. In addition, the PA Turnpike is evaluating opportunities for more than 600 additional spaces across its system. This is the first statewide expansion of designated parking spaces other than through facility construction projects and will provide safe options for commercial drivers to meet federal hours-of-service rest requirements, helping to address a longstanding, nationwide challenge and improving driver safety.    

“Truck parking is a nationwide issue, and with the high volume of freight traffic coming through Pennsylvania, the Shapiro Administration knew that we needed to tackle this problem,” PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. “As a commercial driver’s license-holder myself, I know how important this commonsense approach is to our economy and workforce. By adding these spots – and looking at ways to add even more – we’re giving truckers many more options to safely park and meet their rest requirements.”

PennDOT’s designated truck parking spots will be established on Interstate on-ramps with no sight distance or safety concerns, weigh stations used for PSP motor carrier safety enforcement, and various other locations within highway right of way. PennDOT and PSP staff collaborated closely to identify sites that can be designated quickly and cost-effectively. Spots will be marked with truck-parking signage installed by PennDOT.

“This initiative directly supports our mission to ensure motor carrier safety by reducing driver fatigue and improving the overall safety of our highways,” PSP Director Bureau of Patrol Major Robert Krol said. “Safe, designated parking is essential for commercial drivers, and this effort represents a significant step forward in protecting everyone who travels on Pennsylvania’s roads.”

As part of its ongoing investment to the trucking community, the PA Turnpike is evaluating the feasibility of additional spaces at various locations throughout its system, including emergency pull-offs, interchange on-ramps and service plaza on-ramps. Over the last two decades, the PA Turnpike has added parking where it can, investing more than $30 million to expand truck parking at numerous service plazas, including Sideling Hill, Lawn, Highspire, North Somerset and Stanton service plazas. As it converts to Open Road Tolling (ORT), the PA Turnpike is reviewing the reconfiguration of interchanges can create opportunities to provide additional spaces for truck parking. 

“The trucking community is essential to our mission of supporting national commerce,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “We are dedicated to finding innovative solutions that address the increasing truck parking shortages along our system, and we take pride in collaborating with partners throughout the Commonwealth to enhance driver safety and improve logistics efficiency.” 

Due to its role supporting regional logistical operations, the Pennsylvania Turnpike is one of the few toll roads that held – and grew – its commercial volumes from pre-pandemic levels. Systemwide, commercial traffic is 15% higher than pre-pandemic levels.   

To complement the added spaces and to share available their locations, PennDOT today unveiled a new “Public Truck Parking” option on www.511PA.com and the 511PA smartphone application. The map displays existing truck parking options and both agencies’ newly designated locations will be added as the parking becomes available.

Truck parking concerns have been well documented, including through a study by the Pennsylvania State Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC) in 2023. This parking expansion addresses the study’s recommendation to “repurpose select state-owned surplus properties.”

The action to expand parking builds on PennDOT’s work on other recommendations included in the TAC study. The department has established the Truck Parking Task Force, an ongoing collaboration with regional and municipal partners along high priority corridors identified in the study. Additionally, the department has engaged the trucking industry, municipalities, and planning partners to help promote and advance potential solutions at the local level.

“Truck drivers are essential to keeping our economy moving, goods on our shelves, and food in our pantries — but they need safe places to stop and rest. With only one parking space for every 11 drivers on the road, too many truckers are forced to choose between breaking hours-of-service laws or stopping in unsafe locations. Every new space added to our highway network means one more trucker who has a safe and secure place to stop tonight. PMTA thanks PennDOT and the Turnpike Commission for their commitment to tackling this problem to help truck drivers and keep our roads safer for everyone,” PMTA President & CEO Rebecca Oyler said.

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, or by following regional X alerts. 

Information about state infrastructure in Pennsylvania, including completed work and significant projects, is available online. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects.

PennDOT, Shapiro Administration Opening Commonwealth’s 20th EV Charging Station

Pennsylvania has opened its 20th NEVI site for Pennsylvania travelers, leading the nation in stations built through the program.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the opening of the state’s 20th federally-funded Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station, putting Pennsylvania in the lead nationally for the number of stations built using funds from the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) program and representing a total federal investment of approximately $11.5 million. The new station is located atSheetz in Pittsburgh on Freeport Road along Interstate 76 (Exit 48).

Since the first NEVI-funded station opened in PA, the charging stations have delivered more than 30,000 charging sessions, powering over 3.5 million estimated miles driven and reducing CO2 emissions by more than 1.7 million pounds (or 750 metric tons).

Additionally, PennDOT announced that it is the first state to receive a Full Build-Out Certification under the new federal NEVI guidance issued in August. The build-out certification allows a state to move beyond the initial phase of the NEVI program that focused on building charging stations on the core network of interstate highways, enabling PennDOT to begin the next stage of the NEVI program — Corridor Connections — which will be released on or before October 7, 2025.

“Thanks to our team’s diligent work in 2023 and 2024, and Governor Shapiro’s persistent efforts to secure Congressionally appropriated funding, we’re in a position to continue making EVs more accessible for PA travelers,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “That quick action ensured Pennsylvania could adapt to national program changes while locking in investments for Pennsylvania.”

Per NEVI guidance issued August 11, PennDOT submitted an updated Pennsylvania NEVI State Plan and a second request for Full Build-Out Certification to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on August 27, 2025. The next phase will begin projects that connect communities. The NEVI State Plan was approved on September 5, 2025, and PennDOT received Full Build-Out Certification on September 22, 2025. Having received approval, the Shapiro Administration is moving forward with the community phase of the NEVI program, beginning with the Corridor Connections Funding Opportunity

The Corridor Connections Funding Opportunity focuses on implementing EV charging stations along major roadways to strengthen long-distance travel outside of previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. These locations are expected to serve the communities and regions near the charging station locations. 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 anticipates soliciting about 24 projects through the Corridor Connections Funding Opportunity, with up to $20 million in available funding. The Funding Opportunity is expected to include more than 1,000 miles of roadway.

The submission period will close on January 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM EST. Full program details will be available on the Corridor Connections webpage on October 6, 2025.

National data on the status of the NEVI program by state is available at https://evstates.org/awards-dashboard/.

Information about state infrastructure in Pennsylvania, including completed work and significant projects, is available online. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.pa.gov/DOTprojects.

Shapiro Administration Continues Safety Efforts with Roundabouts

Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that roundabouts continue to provide safe, efficient travel across the Commonwealth. Since 2005,104 roundabouts have been built to improve traffic flow and/or decrease crash severity, and more than 30 additional roundabouts are in various stages of design and construction across Pennsylvania.

“For us, it’s simple. Roundabouts remove cross-traffic turns and eliminate T-bone crashes, while improving traffic flow” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Any design that dramatically reduces the most serious crashes we see on the road is worthy of consideration in our projects.”

PennDOT finalized a data review through 2024 using 20 years of crash data from roundabouts around the state. Study findings showed that crashes with injuries were reduced by 51 percent and total crashes decreased by 7 percent. Pennsylvania data reflects national studies that found changing two-way sign-controlled intersections to a single-lane roundabout reduced injury crashes by more than 80 percent. Likewise, changing a signalized intersection to single-lane or multilane roundabout reduced crashes with injuries by up to 78 percent.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) lists roundabouts as a “Proven Safety Countermeasure” that improves safety by reducing vehicle speeds by angling incoming traffic. The crashes that do occur tend to be sideswipe crashes with vehicles traveling at slower speeds rather than T-bone or head-on collisions. Additionally, eliminating left turns across opposing traffic results in dramatically fewer injuries.

In addition to safety improvement, roundabouts carry, on average, approximately 30 percent more vehicles during peak traffic than similar intersections. In off-peak hours, roundabouts cause almost no delay, compared to traffic signals.

As roundabouts are constructed around the state, it is important to know how to correctly navigate them.

Here are a few key things to remember when navigating a roundabout:

  • Slow down and be prepared to yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
  • Circulating traffic has the right of way. Look left and check for approaching traffic. If there are multiple circulating lanes, yield to both before entering. Do not assume the vehicle in the inside lane will stay there.
  • Do not stop while in the circulatory roadway, and always use your right turn signal to indicate your exit.

Click here for PennDOT’s data review

Click here for the national studies

Governor’s Office Announces Improved Online Experience on 511PA

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) today announced that 511PA – Pennsylvania’s free, statewide travel information service – has been upgraded with a new website, mobile app, and phone system. This announcement comes just days after Governor Shapiro launched a new PA.gov meet Pennsylvanians where they are online, deliver human-centered digital experiences, and make Commonwealth services easier to find.

“Each year, nearly 100 billion vehicle miles are traveled on Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “The Shapiro Administration continues to improve Commonwealth services, so they are easier to find, more accessible, and readily available. The more information we can make available to the traveling public, the better. We’re proud of these enhancements and encourage travelers to check out the improved 511PA and ‘know before they go.’”

Launched in 2009, 511PA is a statewide travel information service operated by PennDOT and PA Turnpike that helps reduce congestion and improve safety on Pennsylvania roadways. 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, or by following regional X alerts. Through the “Driving Mode” feature, motorists can receive these alerts hands-free so they can focus on safely driving.

“We are committed to the safety of the 550,000 customers who choose the PA Turnpike daily and know that unforeseen incidents can happen on any road at any time,” said PA Turnpike Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey. “We are excited that these changes to 511PA will improve the customer experience. This additional tool readily assists drivers before they get on the road with real-time information so they can stay informed with what is happening on the roadways.”

Here are some of the updates users can expect:

  • The redesigned 511PA mobile app has several new features, including the ability to limit alerts to your route, a new “My Cameras” feature and the option for alternate routes.
  • The updated website has been completely redesigned to be more user-friendly and includes new personalization and customization to make it even easier to access the information users most care about.
  • The phone system now provides a more streamlined menu to get callers the information they need faster.

Users can also sign up for personalized travel alerts on the website. Current 511PA personal-alert subscribers need to create a new account in the updated system and set up their preferences to continue receiving alerts. A transformed 511PA app is part of the new system, so users will need to update their Apple or Android app to access the latest version.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in your county at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/RegionalOffices. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

The PA Turnpike’s mission is to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. Find resources and planned construction projects at Traveling on the PA Turnpike | PA Turnpike.

UNC’s Child Care Centers Receive Award from Shapiro Administration

On Wednesday April 24, United Neighborhoods Centers of Northeastern Pennysylvania’s (UNC) Child Care Department received the 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Champion Award from the Shapiro Administration. UNC staff visited the State Capitol Rotunda to receive the award from Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh, along with fellow recipients from across the state.

The Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award brings awareness to and highlights the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and afterschool settings, including child care, evidence-based home visiting, and early intervention.

UNC operates three child care centers that provide affordable before- and after-school care, and preschool services. We understand that reliable, safe, and accessible childcare is crucial to the stability of working families. Likewise, the quality of that care is key to the early development of the child. Our centers are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and operate weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All three of UNC’s child care centers have 4-STAR ratings, the highest designation from the Keystone STARS childcare quality rating program. UNC child care centers accept Lackawanna County Early Learning Resource Center subsidy and other funding, as well as paying families. For more information about UNC’s childcare centers, see below, or call UNC’s Director of Children and Teens, Kelly Langan, at 272-228-1352.

Pictured: From Left (front row): Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Secretary for the Department of Education; Mary Ellen Richards, UNC Child Care staff; Nita Barrett, UNC Child Care staff; Shante’ Brown, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning; Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary for the Department of Human Services From left (2nd row): Vuanasha Gatewood, UNC Child Care staff; Kelly Langan, UNC Director of Director of Children & Teens.