​Montoursville, PA – Motorists, especially truckers, using Route 54 in Northumberland County should be aware that slick and icy conditions may exist on Natalie Mountain between Route 487 at Elysburg and Route 61 at Atlas.

Due to the elevation of the roadway over Natalie Mountain, icy roadway conditions may exist while road conditions are clear on the lower elevations. While PennDOT has made a priority of keeping Natalie Mountain safe and passable, winter conditions may make it difficult for trucks to travel over the mountain.

Should winter conditions make traversing the mountain difficult, drivers should consider an alternate route. Eastbound traffic should use Route 487 south to Route 61 south. Westbound traffic should use Route 61 north to Route 487 north.

If the road is closed, all traffic should use the alternate route.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, 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 1,000 traffic cameras. 

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

The department also asks motorists to 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 take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.Ready.PA.gov or by downloading the free ReadyPA app for Apple or Android devices. Citizens can also find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the ReadyPA website.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter. 

Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/StateColl for Tioga, Lycoming, Bradford, Sullivan and Union County information; www.twitter.com/Altoona for Snyder County information or www.twitter.com/Northeast for Montour, Columbia and Northumberland information. 

MEDIA CONTACT: Kim Smith, 570-368-4344 or kiasmit@pa.gov 

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