The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is temporarily reducing the speed limit on?several roadways in the east central region of Pennsylvania.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:

• Interstate 78 in Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties;

• Interstate 80 in Carbon and Monroe counties;

• Interstate 81 in Schuylkill County;

• Interstate 380 in Monroe County;

• U.S. 22 in Lehigh and Northampton counties;

• Route 33 in Northampton and Monroe counties.

On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.

In addition to the speed restrictions, the following vehicle restrictions are in effect:

Tier 2:

I-78 in Berks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties;

U.S. 22 Lehigh and Northampton counties;

Route 33 in Monroe and Northampton counties.

Tier 4 (no commercial vehicles):

I-80 in Carbon and Monroe counties;

I-81 in Schuylkill County;

I-380 in Monroe County.

Under Tier 2 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.

Tractors towing loaded tandem trailers without chains or Alternate Traction Devices (ATDs).

Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box 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, regardless of the availability of trains or ATDs.

Motorcycles.

Tire chains or ATDs do not need to be installed under Tier 2 restrictions but need to be readily available for use should the vehicle become stuck and not be able to move because of poor traction.

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.

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, 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.