Winter storm travel chaos Pennsylvania: bans, delays,

Winter storm travel chaos Pennsylvania carried into Monday, as PennDOT vehicle bans and 45 mph limits expanded on major highways. At the same time, riders faced transit delays and cancellations across the region.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

PennDOT vehicle bans and 45 mph limits expand across PA highways

PennDOT said it tightened winter storm travel restrictions across several regions Monday as hazardous conditions continued. In Southcentral PA, the agency reported that certain vehicles were banned on key roadways in the District 8 region—Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties.

In a Monday, Jan. 26 release, PennDOT said restrictions covered I-78 and I-81 from the Maryland state line to the Schuylkill County line, as outlined in a PennDOT District 8 newsroom update. The agency also said 45 mph speed limits remain in place on heavily traveled routes including I-78, I-81, I-83, I-283, PA 581, US 15, PA 283, US 30 from PA 24 to PA 462, and US 222.

PennDOT’s restrictions ban several vehicle types from affected highways, including motorcycles, school buses, motor coaches, recreational vehicles, passenger vehicles towing trailers, and certain commercial vehicles pulling unloaded or lightly loaded trailers.

In East Central PA, PennDOT also published a District 5 update showing vehicle restrictions on major routes in Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, and Schuylkill counties. Impacted corridors include portions of I-78, I-80, I-81, I-176, I-380, US 22, and Route 33. PennDOT said the speed limit is restricted to 45 mph on affected roadways while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and more routes could be added depending on changing conditions.

PennDOT said crews are treating roadways, but drivers should expect snow- and ice-covered conditions while the storm continues. Drivers can check real-time conditions on 511PA.

Pennsylvania Turnpike restrictions lifted, Philadelphia snow emergency continues

The Pennsylvania Turnpike lifted all restrictions and travel bans that had been in place for the winter storm. A Tier 3 restriction had been in effect, banning commercial vehicles, buses, RVs, and other vehicles, and the restrictions were lifted at 4:30 a.m. Monday.

A Philadelphia snow emergency remained active as of Monday morning as crews continued working to clear city streets. Parking is prohibited on all snow emergency routes to allow plows and emergency vehicles to get through safely, and vehicles blocking routes may be ticketed and towed.

All trash and recycling collections are suspended on Monday, Jan. 26. Collections will be delayed by one day for the remainder of the week.

SEPTA delays expected into Monday; Amtrak Keystone Service canceled

SEPTA said it expects significant service disruptions to continue into Monday following the weekend’s winter storm. Regional Rail, Bus, Access Paratransit, and Metro Routes T and G (city trolleys) were suspended Sunday afternoon and will be gradually restored Monday as conditions allow, with guidance reflected in SEPTA winter storm preparations.

Once service is operating, Regional Rail will follow a Saturday schedule. Bus and Metro will follow a Monday schedule.

The Market-Frankford Line, Broad Street Line, Suburban Trolleys, and the Norristown High Speed Line continued operating throughout Sunday, but riders should expect delays, trip cancellations, and longer travel times on Monday. For the latest service information, customers can visit SEPTA.org.

Amtrak’s Keystone Service has cancelled its services until 10 a.m. on Monday due to dangerous weather conditions. Amtrak said customer and employee safety remains its highest priority and that it is taking proactive steps to limit exposure to hazardous conditions, protect rail equipment, and align with guidance from state and local authorities advising the public to avoid travel during the storm, as also noted in a Railway Supply service update.

Amtrak said it is making efforts to notify customers. Ticket holders can rebook or request a refund on Amtrak’s website.

Red Rose Transit Authority cancelled its fixed-route bus service for Monday and said it may resume service at noon if conditions are safe, with an announcement to follow. Red Rose Access shared-ride service will operate medically necessary and essential work trips only on Monday.

Rabbittransit is also delaying its service on Monday morning, with its delayed schedule set to resume at noon. The GIANT Shuttle is cancelled for Monday, and the Stop Hopper and Paratransit services are set to begin after 12 p.m.

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