Commercial vehicle travel bans in place as major winter storm pounds northeast

ALBANY, N.Y. — With a winter storm bearing down on the northeast, multiple states have issued travel bans and alerts for commercial vehicles. The storm’s path included parts of New England, upstate New York, northeastern Pennsylvania and northern New Jersey. Snow totals by the time it winds up on Wednesday, March 15, were expected to range from a few inches to a few feet, depending on the area.

Following is a state-by-state breakdown on tractor-trailer travel bans.

CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont is banning all tandem tractor-trailers and empty tractor-trailers from traveling on Interstate 84 statewide effective at 6 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, until further notice.

The governor said that he is implementing this travel ban due to the heavy wet snow and high winds that are expected to impact this specific area of Connecticut throughout the day on Tuesday.

“During peak periods of this storm, we are expecting to see very strong wind gusts and heavy wet snow in the northern region of the state, particularly along the I-84 corridor,” Lamont said. “This storm is unique for our small state in that some areas are expected to receive a significant impact and in other regions it may be less severe. I encourage everyone to stay alert for weather updates and take caution if you need to travel.”

To check travel conditions in Connecticut, visit ctroads.org/ 

NEW JERSEY

New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti has issued a commercial vehicle travel restriction on multiple interstate highways until further notice.

Winter weather could make driving conditions treacherous, particularly in North Jersey, the commissioner noted in a news release. The travel restrictions are being coordinated with neighboring states. In addition to the commercial restrictions, all motorists are encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel through Tuesday, March 14.

The commercial vehicle travel restrictions began at 8 p.m. Monday, March 13, and will be in place until further notice for the following highways in both directions:

• I-78, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike).
• I-80, entire length from the Pennsylvania border to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike).
• I-280, entire length from I-80 to I-95 (New Jersey Turnpike).
• I-287, entire length from NJ Route 440 to the New York State border.
• NJ Route 440, from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287.

The commercial vehicle travel restriction applies to:

• All tractor trailers (exceptions as listed in the Administrative Order).
• Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks.
• Passenger vehicles pulling trailers.
• Recreational vehicles.
• Motorcycles.

This restriction does not apply to:

• The New Jersey Turnpike.
• The Garden State Parkway.
• The Atlantic City Expressway.
• Public safety vehicles, sworn and civilian public safety personnel; as well as other personnel directly supporting healthcare facilities or critical infrastructure such as providing fuel or food. For a complete list of operations or personnel that are exempt from the travel ban, see the Administrative Order.

Trucks that are already in New Jersey when the travel restrictions go into place are encouraged to pull off in truck stops to wait out the storm. NJDOT warns that parking on shoulders will not be allowed. NJDOT is coordinating with all state and regional transportation agencies to ensure the most effective response to the storm.

To learn more about New Jersey road conditions, visit 511nj.org.

NEW YORK

• Beginning at 8 p.m. Monday, March 13, the Thruway — interstates 87 and 90 — will ban all tandem and empty tractor-trailers from I-87 exit 17 (Newburgh-Scranton, Interstate 84 to Interstate 90 exit 36 (Watertown-Binghamton-Interstate 81).
• The length of the Berkshire Spur (I-87 exit 21B to the Massachusetts border) until further notice.

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has also issued the following truck travel restrictions:

• Interstate 84: Full length. 8 p.m. start; No tandem or empty tractor-trailers.
• Interstate 88: Full Length. 8 p.m. start; No tandem or empty tractor-trailers.
• Interstate 87 (Northway): Albany to Plattsburgh. 8 p.m. start; No tandem or empty tractor-trailers.
• Interstate 90: I-87 to Berkshire Spur. 8 p.m. start; No tandem or empty tractor-trailers
• Interstate 81: Pennsylvania state line to Syracuse. 8 p.m. start; “Trucks Use Right Lane” advisory.
• Route 17: Middletown to Binghamton. 8 p.m. start; “Trucks Use Right Lane” advisory.

For travel conditions in New York, visit www.thruway.ny.gov/index.shtml.

PENNSYLVANIA

Effective at 12 a.m. on Tuesday, March 14, PennDOT will implement the following vehicle travel restrictions:

Tier 1: Empty tractor trailers

• Interstate 80 from Interstate 81 to the New Jersey state line and I-81 from I-80 to the New York state line.

Tier 3: All commercial vehicles without chains or ATD onboard

•  Interstate 84 and Interstate 380.

The following vehicles are restricted in all tiers: Oversized loads, tractors without trailers, empty box trucks, motorcycles, tow-behind trailers, RVs/campers, buses without ATD.

For travel conditions in Pennsylvania, visit 511pa.com.

The Trucker News Staff

The Trucker News Staff produces engaging content for not only TheTrucker.com, but also The Trucker Newspaper, which has been serving the trucking industry for more than 30 years. With a focus on drivers, the Trucker News Staff aims to provide relevant, objective content pertaining to the trucking segment of the transportation industry. The Trucker News Staff is based in Little Rock, Arkansas.