LIVE UPDATES: Latest on road conditions, restrictions as snow falls across Pittsburgh area

PITTSBURGH — Snow has been falling across the area since early Sunday morning, and it could create treacherous road conditions.

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UPDATE (11 PM): Most roads in Allegheny County are well-treated as the next wave of snow continues to roll through the region.

However, it can still get slick -- even on salted and pretreated streets. Bridges and overpasses can also be problem spots.

UPDATE (5:00 PM):

PennDOT officials are telling drivers to stay off the roads unless it’s absolutely necessary.

State crews are prioritizing high traffic routes and those leading to health care facilities.

If you have to be on the roads -- slow down and give all vehicles on the road extra space.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency says they’re concerned about shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine that will be traveling through the state during the storm. And they’re planning to monitor shipments to help make sure the vaccines make it to their destination, which is just one more reason why they want you to stay off the roads.

State leaders respond to the snow storm

UPDATE (4:45 PM):

Officials are becoming concerned about icy conditions going into the evening commute.

Jason Winters, Hempfield Township manager, said ice is always a concern.

“And making sure we have enough material on the road to combat the ice and making sure any late night commutes are okay, but we should be fine for morning commute tomorrow.”

Overall about 3-5 inches of snow have fallen in eastern Westmoreland and Fayette counties

UPDATE (4:30 PM):

Slick roads are the big concern for PennDOT crews this evening as more snow could come in the next few hours. Crews have been working 12 hour shifts since this morning, and don’t plan to stop anytime soon.

“We are anticipating more snow today and tonight. So our crews will be out in force, maximum effort plenty of material, our operators in trucks are in good shape,” Jay Ofsanik with PennDOT said. “Our plow drivers will be out there throughout the day throughout the evening and into the early morning hours until this event is over.

UPDATE (3:55 PM):

UPDATE (2:45 PM): Roads in Washington County continue to be primarily wet.

UPDATE (12:44 PM): We’re tracking how much snow has fallen across the area. Here’s some of the snow totals so far.

UPDATE (12:20 PM): Roads in Canonsburg are clear, but wet right now. PennDOT crews are working around the clock to keep plow the roads.

UPDATE (11:00 AM): Cars in Pittsburgh neighborhood get stuck while waiting for plow truck

Some people in the Overbook section of Pittsburgh have been stuck in snow, waiting for a plow or salt truck to come through.

A Channel 11 News crew spent most of Monday morning on Line Street after they were stuck while checking road conditions in the area.

Linda Chardello also became stuck sideways on a hill. She sat in her car for nearly two hours waiting for a plow truck to come around, but it never did.

After getting tired of waiting, she left her car and the Channel 11 crew helped her up the hill.

“Terrible. That’s like that all the time,” said Chardello.

“Forty-five years and this has always been a mess here for some reason,” said resident Richard Matthews.

One resident didn’t even try to drive to work. Instead, he decided to walk to the T station.

UPDATE (10:40 AM): Two-man crew works to clear roads in Alleppo Township

Alleppo Township only has two salt trucks, so their two-man crew has been working around the clock since yesterday to clear the roads.

Earlier Monday morning, Channel 11′s Sarafina James rode along with Public Works Supervisor Tim Scott and learned about the territory he covered and the challenges he faced due to the snowfall.

Two-man crew works to clear roads in Alleppo Township

“We started yesterday morning at 5:30 a.m., got done around 1:30 p.m. We went back out at 5:30 Sunday night and it’s 8:44 a.m. and we are still out,” said Scott.

In the last 24 hours, Scott has put almost 250 miles on his truck.

UPDATE (9:28 AM) A Pittsburgh Department of Public Works salt truck slid over a hillside in the city’s South Side Slopes neighborhood.

CLICK HERE for the full story and more photos.

UPDATE (9:20 AM) The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has lifted speed limit restrictions on interstates 279 and 376 in Allegheny and Beaver counties.

UPDATE (8:50 AM) The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike are implementing additional restrictions on trucks and other vehicles on certain roadways around the state. They will be in place from 9 a.m. Monday and continue until conditions warrant their removal.

Vehicle restrictions are anticipated on the following roadways at Tier 3 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:

• Interstate 76/276/95 (PA Turnpike mainline) from Interstate 81 (Carlisle Interchange, Exit 226) to the New Jersey border;
• Interstate 80 from Interstate 99 to Interstate 81;
• The entire length of Interstate 81 in both directions;
• The entire length of Interstate 83 in both directions;
• Interstate 283 in both directions;
• Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 276 (PA Turnpike mainline) to Interstate 78 (Lehigh Valley Interchange, Exit 56); and
• Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 80 (Pocono Interchange, Exit 95) to Interstate 81 (Clarks Summit Interchange, Exit 131).

On roadways with Tier 3 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted, except loaded single trailers with chains or approved Alternate Traction Devices. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.

Vehicle restrictions are anticipated on the following roadways at Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:

• Route 22 from Interstate 78 to the New Jersey border;
• The entire length of Route 33 in both directions;
• The entire length of Interstate 78 in both directions;
• Interstate 80 from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey border;
• The entire length of Interstate 84 in both directions;
• The entire length of Interstate 380 in both directions; and
• Interstate 476 (PA Turnpike Northeast Extension) from Interstate 78 (Lehigh Valley Interchange, Exit 56) to Interstate 80 (Pocono Interchange, Exit 95).

On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.

Tier 1 restrictions remain in effect on the following roadways:

• Interstate 70 in both directions from the Pennsylvania Turnpike (Interstate 76) to the Maryland state line;
• Interstate 76 (PA Turnpike mainline) from Breezewood Interchange, Exit 161, to Interstate 81 (Carlisle Interchange, Exit 226)
• Interstate 80 in both directions from Interstate 99 to Interstate 79; and
• The entire length of Interstate 99 in both directions.

Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:

• Tractors without trailers;
• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers;
• Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers;
• Enclosed cargo delivery trucks that meet the definition of a CMV;
• Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers;
• Recreational vehicles/motorhomes;
• School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches not carrying chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATD’s); and
• Motorcycles.

UPDATE (7:40 AM) The Allegheny County Department of Public Works said it has had 24 salt trucks out on county-owned roads since the winter storm started early Sunday morning. That level of coverage will be maintained until the storm ends.

UPDATE (7:30 AM) The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has temporarily reduced the speed limits on interstates 279 and 376 to 45 mph.

The speed limit changes are in place on I-279 in Allegheny County, as well as on I-376 between Interstate 79 in Allegheny County and Route 151/Hopewell exit (Exit 48) in Beaver County.

UPDATE (7:15 AM) The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation said crews have been out on the roads all night. A spokesperson emphasized that the average snow route takes two to four hours to complete, so roads might be covered by the time crews make it back around for another cycle. Main roads and interstates have been prioritized.

UPDATE (6:30 AM) Line Street in Pittsburgh’s Carrick neighborhood is snow-covered and slick. A car got stuck sideways on the street.

UPDATE (4:45 AM) Some roads in Pittsburgh are snow-covered Monday morning.

1/31 UPDATES

UPDATE (10:30 PM) I-79 is now fully open again hours after the accident in the southbound lanes.

UPDATE (9 PM) A tractor-trailer jackknifed on Interstate 79 southbound around 8 p.m.

According to Allegheny County emergency responders, declining road conditions played a factor in the crash.

No one was hurt, but that portion of I-79 south is closed as crews work to clear the area.

UPDATE (6:50 PM) A salt truck overturned in Bethel Park around 6:15 p.m., causing a road closure as crews try to treat the roadways.

The accident happened near the intersection of Library Road and Hillside Drive.

Police said another car was involved, but no one was injured.

Library Road will be closed surrounding the crash until around 8 p.m., according to officials.

Snow has been falling across the area since early Sunday morning, and it could create treacherous road conditions.

Roads are just wet as of 5:30 p.m., but there is a chance for some more accumulation as it gets later.

Snow plows are already treating the roadways in preparation for the next wave of snowfall across Pittsburgh. The city has more than 60 trucks ready to go for salting and plowing as needed.

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County officials urge everyone to avoid the roads as much as possible through Tuesday. If that is not possible, they advise to use caution, including driving slowly, maintaining a safe distance between vehicles and avoiding sudden stops.

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How crews pretreat, treat roads during snow storms in Pittsburgh How crews pretreat, treat roads during snow storms in Pittsburgh

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