As winter approaches, undoubtedly winter weather is on the way as well. PennDOT has provided us with important information to share with our community about State Highway Maintenance in our area:
State Roadway Winter Maintenance Crews in Lancaster County are currently short of being fully staffed. What does this mean for (PennDOT) roadways locally?
Storm timing and intensity will of course play a big role in how PennDOT will need to manage the storm and deploy its personnel. They will be performing winter roadway brining, salting, and plowing services based on the priority of the roads which they normally manage, but with a reduced workforce, the impacts will be felt more so than normal. They will of course be making sure that limited access highways (Route 30, 222 & 283) are handled first.
The overnight hours may see less service due to lower traffic volumes and typically colder temperatures which impacts the effectiveness of salt and brining materials. PennDOT will be utilizing tankers to pre-treat with salt brine the lower priority State roads to assist in managing with the longer cycle times. PennDOT’s goal is to provide safe, passible roads in a timely manner for the motoring public.
Please know, that safe and passible does not mean bare. Pennsylvania does not have a bare roads policy. Cycle times will be increased due to their staffing shortage. This means that Manheim Township residents may not see a plow truck for hours on various State Roads in the Township. PennDOT will do its best to get trucks around in a timely manner.
For any questions or concerns about PennDOT roadways, please contact them at (717) 412-5300, or via email at DOTcomm@pa.gov.