Snowy Conditions Cause Crashes And Traffic Back-Ups, Speed Limit Imposed On Major Highways
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PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The winter storm is creating some tough driving conditions for the morning rush hour.
Officials have reopened McKnight Road between Brookview Lane and Stevens Drive after a lengthy closure Wednesday morning because of the heavy snowfall.
The Parkway North/I-279 HOV lanes were also closed.
The Pkwy North/I-279 HOV lanes will close until further notice due to the weather conditions. @KDKA
— Celina Pompeani (@CelinaPompeani) February 20, 2019
Wow @KDKA https://t.co/9boslJe5wL
— Celina Pompeani (@CelinaPompeani) February 20, 2019
Photos posted to Twitter from show long back-ups on the snow-covered roadway, and police trying to move cars around in order to get a plow truck through.
Stuck on McKnight Road, which is otherwise closed in both directions. I was so proud of my record of never missing a class. So much for that. pic.twitter.com/xipvRIIbP7
— Kirstin Kennedy (@kirstinkennedy) February 20, 2019
Ross Twp PD are asking us to back down the hill on McKnight Road. Thank god Mark is driving. pic.twitter.com/IpyuJMbJAI
— Kirstin Kennedy (@kirstinkennedy) February 20, 2019
Heavy traffic started building early this morning on the Parkway West following a crash that blocked all the outbound lanes at Carnegie approaching Rosslyn Farms.
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- Winter Storm Brings Snow, Ice Accumulations To Western Pa.
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- Road, Power Crews Ready All Across Area For Winter Storm
- Snowy Conditions Cause Crashes And Traffic Back-Ups, Speed Limit Imposed On Major Highways
Snow is coating the highway and causing delays on the inbound side as well.
Traffic build-ups were also reported on Interstate 79 southbound at Exit 57 because of a crash in the snowy conditions.
Over on the West End Bridge, a crash was reported on the snow-covered span near Route 51.
WEATHER LINKS:
Current Conditions | School Delays & Closings | Local Radar | Weather App | Photos
The Port Authority says "all on-street bus routes are delayed about an hour" because of the snow conditions and heavy traffic. Also, bus routes Y46 and Y49 outbound are blocked at 51 at Brownsville Road because of a jackknifed tractor trailer.
All on-street bus routes are delayed about an hour due to traffic/road conditions. Busway routes are only delayed slightly. Bus routes Y46 and Y49 outbound are blocked at 51 at Brownsville Rd due to a jackknifed tractor trailer. Extended delays expected on those routes
— Port Authority PGH (@PGHtransit) February 20, 2019
Officials with PennDOT imposed a 45 mile per hour speed limit on Interstate 80, the Pennsylvania Turnpike and other highways. Those restrictions went into place at 6 a.m.
Semis hauling empty trailers will not be allowed on those roads until the storm passes.
They've also reduced the speed limit on all the Parkways, I-79, Route 28 and Routes 22/30.
PennDOT is reducing the speed limit on I-79, the Parkways, 579, 22/30 and RT-28. @KDKA pic.twitter.com/PTvdkVGNeO
— Celina Pompeani (@CelinaPompeani) February 20, 2019
They are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel, but telling people who do need to go out to use extra caution.
Stay with KDKA for the latest on the winter weather conditions.
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