Dunmore, PA – Due to the winter storm impacting the region, PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit on several major roadways in northeastern Pennsylvania today as of 10:45 AM.   PennDOT encourages motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:   • Interstate 81 in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Susquehanna Counties • Interstate 84 in Lackawanna, Pike, and Wayne Counties • Interstate 380 in Lackawanna and Wayne County    All truck drivers are reminded that during this speed limit reduction, trucks are to travel in the right lane of the highway.   Although PennDOT has crews treating roadways around the clock, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.   In addition, 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.   To help make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to "Know Before You Go" by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visitingwww.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. Users can also see plow truck statuses and travel alerts along a specific route using the "Check My Route" tool.   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.   Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.gov/District4. Information about infrastructure in District 12, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D4Results.   Downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.ReadyPA.org or by calling 1-888-9-READYPA. Citizens can find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the Web site or the toll-free line.   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/511PANortheast.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jessica Kalinoski, (570)-963-4044, jekalinosk@pa.gov   # # #