Various counties throughout the region were dealing with mixed precipitation with many roadways ice or snow covered early this morning.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reduced speeds on highways throughout the region and restricted commercial vehicles.

PennDOT spokesman Sean Brown said that on roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motor homes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place, he said.

PennDOT crews were on the roadways well in advance of the storm, Brown said.

“Before the storm roadways were either pretreated with a salt-brine solution, or they had residual salt still on them,” Brown said.

Brown added crews had been shifted well before the storm began so they were able to utilize all available trucks.

“Crews have been laying down material (salt or salt/anti-skid) on our roadway to help melt the snow or ice.”

Brown noted that during a storm, the interstates and expressways are the top priority, but that all state roadways were being treated.

“Crews will be out treating roadways until the storm has passed and all roadways are cleared,” he said.

Brown shared tips for motorists who had to be on the roadways for this morning’s work commute.

“Avoid travel if at all possible, to give time for our plows to address the roadways,” he said. “If you do go out please slow down and drive very cautiously.”

Brian Hoffner of Iron Street in Lehighton said Route 443 wasn’t quite so slippery on his travels earlier this morning.

“The sleet made it easier,” Hoffner said. “There weren’t too many people out there.”

Just a little over 10 miles away in neighboring Walnutport, the borough crew began treating the roads as early as 4 a.m., said borough road foreman Michael Wentz.

“We salted everything heavy,” Wentz said. “All roads in town right now are just wet.”

Wentz said that as of 8 a.m., traffic was moving steady, just more cautiously. “We have the trucks loaded again and ready to go out and hit them again if needed,” he said. “All traffic is moving good, just a little slower.”