Pennsylvania Reopens Interstates Following Snowstorms

Pennsylvania has reopened Interstates 78, 81, 83, 76, 476, 676 and 176 today, following the winter blizzards that caused the state to close the interstates this week.


I-78 was the last of the roads to reopen Thursday, as Pennsylvania Department of Transportation officials dealt with high winds and drifting snow. The state said there will be a 45 mile per hour speed limit restriction on I-78 in effect until further notice.

Governor Edward G. Rendell ordered the closures Wednesday to allow PennDOT to deal with the combination of heavy snow and high winds.

"The strong winds created whiteout conditions in many areas of the state, and that was the situation this morning in some areas of Interstate 78," said Governor Rendell. "All the elements for significant hazardous conditions were converging, and we needed to take aggressive steps to ensure the public safety and help PennDOT keep highways cleared in the face of very challenging conditions."

Motorists are still encouraged to use caution when traveling on roadways as the potential for blowing, drifting snow and white-out conditions still exists.