PennDOT Ready for Winter Travel, Motorists Urged to Prepare for Season
Harrisburg – PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch today called on motorists to join the department in its efforts to keep roadways safe through the upcoming season.
Motorists should carry an emergency kit including items such as non-perishable food, water, first-aid supplies, warm clothes, a blanket, cell phone charger and a small snow shovel. However, motorists should tailor their kits to any specific needs that they or their families may have. Consider adding such items as baby supplies, extra medication, pet supplies, or even children’s games.
Last winter, PennDOT used more than 901,574 tons of salt on state-owned roads. Currently, PennDOT has approximately 550,000 tons of salt stockpiled and will continue to take salt deliveries throughout the winter.
PennDOT has agreements with more than 680 municipalities for them to clear state roads within their borders. The department also rents approximately 271 trucks and operators to assist with snow removal, as needed.
Motorists can check road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of state roads by visiting
www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, average traffic speeds on urban interstates and access to more than 650 traffic cameras. 511PA also provides easy-to-use, color-coded winter road conditions for all interstates and other routes covered in the 511 reporting network. Access to 511PA is also available by calling 5-1-1.For more information on PennDOT’s winter preparations and additional winter-driving resources for motorists, visit the department’s “Ready for Winter” website at