PennDOT in Schuylkill County prepared for snow, ice on roads

Dec. 15—SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — With the scent of snow in the air Wednesday afternoon, crews at PennDOT's highway maintenance facility were gearing up for what could be a major storm Thursday.

James Rusin, assistant highway maintenance manager, said the facility will be prepared to field a full contingent of trucks on the region's roads ahead of the morning rush hour.

"We'll have 40 trucks and three rentals on the road," Rusin said. "We're preparing for 5 to 7 inches."

The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning for Schuylkill County, effective from 4 a.m. Thursday through noon Friday.

The weather service predicted a 100% chance of snow overnight, with a snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 5 inches. Freezing rain Thursday morning was expected to change to rain and freezing rain again in the afternoon.

Snow, sleet and rain could continue Thursday night, with accumulations reaching 4 to 6 inches. The same conditions were predicted for Friday morning, with a chance of snow in the afternoon.

PennDOT warned of icy and snowy conditions, with cold temperatures and high winds across most of the state into the weekend.

The department, which will implement speed and vehicle restrictions in various areas as needed, is advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.

PennDOT crews were pre-treating roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming.

"However, salt is not a silver bullet, and drivers may encounter icy spots on roadways," PennDOT warns. "With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy."

Extra caution should be taken when approaching bridges and highway ramps, PennDOT says.

As of 6 a.m. Thursday, Tier 1 vehicle restrictions will be implemented on Interstate 81 from the Maryland border to Interstate 80. At noon Thursday, the restrictions will be extended from I-80 to the New York border.

Under Tier 1 restrictions, tractor-trailers, passenger vehicles towing trailers, recreation vehicles and motor homes, school buses and motorcycles aren't permitted on the affected roadways.

PennDOT District 5 in Allentown said anti-icing with liquid salt brine was to continue through Wednesday night on roads in Schuylkill, Carbon, Berks and surrounding counties.

"PennDOT will have crews treating roadways around the clock throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear," said Ronald J. Young Jr., District 5 press officer.

Rusin said that in Schuylkill County, a full contingent of 67 truck drivers and other employees will be on duty during the storm.

The workforce will be divided into two shifts to ensure that salt trucks will be on the road around the clock, he said.

Following pre-treatment with brine, a mixture of salt and water, 10-wheel dump trucks carrying 15 tons of salt and anti-skid mixture will take to the roads.

The Schuylkill facility services 1,500 lane miles, in both directions, of roadways. The area includes a portion of I-81.

For more information on travel and PennDOT winter operations, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter. Additional information is available at www.PennDOT.gov/safety.

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007