Live Winter Storm Tracker: Pittsburgh Area Digs Out After Heavy Snowfall Blankets Region
By: KDKA-TV News Staff
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh received its first major snowfall of the year, and the impact was felt all across the region.
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Snow Safety Tips
Conditions outside are expected to deteriorate rapidly starting late Sunday afternoon well into Monday.
First and foremost, if you can, you should stay at home.
But if you have to travel for work or an emergency, make sure to take the essentials with you -- warm clothes, food, water, a fully charged phone are some of the ones you'll need.
You should also make sure your vehicle is prepared to withstand the elements.
TRACKING THE WINTER STORM IN PITTSBURGH
January 18, 10:15 a.m.
After some city residents still faced snow-covered streets during their morning commute, Acting Public Works Director Chris Hornstein said the goal is to have everything plowed by Tuesday night.
"Throughout this major winter weather event, we mobilized every City resource to salt and plow streets. No one was hurt, thanks to people staying home, and many residents let us know their appreciation and gratitude for the improved service. But we're not done. Despite challenges with equipment, our goal is to have all the streets plowed by tonight," Hornstein said in a statement.
"It has been 18 hours since the end of the snowfall and we are proud that the majority of streets have been opened. We are working throughout the day and overnight to finish the remaining side streets. From the beginning of the storm, we have at any given time activated 80 pieces of equipment, driven over 1,600 Hours, spread 2,200 tons of salt, salted 3,120 miles of streets, and plowed almost 4,000 miles of streets. We are proud of everyone in the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works, their incredible effort, and we will continue to get better."
January 18, 5:00 a.m.
WATCH: Briana Smith reports live from Brookline.
January 18, 2:00 a.m.
Streets throughout the city of Pittsburgh remained relatively untouched as residents prepare to dig out following the winter storm.
January 17, 11:45 p.m.
Jennifer Borrasso was out in Pittsburgh's Sheraden neighborhood, where residents say their side streets still haven't been touched.
For residents looking to take matters into their own hands, they may run into some issues. Royce Jones checked in with hardware stores that were all out of shovels and salt.
January 17, 7:05 p.m.
It looks like the snow is still causing issues for the evening commute.
Route 51 is "worse than any side street we've traveled in the South Hills today," Meghan Schiller reports.
Route 8 heading towards Hampton near the intersection of Gibsonia road isn't clear, but it's passable.
Side streets are still covered in Pittsburgh, but earlier in the day, Mayor Ed Gainey said they'd be clear by tonight.
January 17, 6:13 p.m.
Tuesday will be a snow day for Pittsburgh Public Schools. Other delays and closures are starting to come in and will be updated regularly on this page.
January 17, 6:00 p.m.
Updates from our crews around the region:
Jessica Guay and Chris Hoffman report from Saxonburg, Butler County.
Amy Wadas and Erika Stanish report from Westmoreland County.
Meghan Schiller reports from Dormont, where kids are using their snow day to sled ride, and from Bethel Park, where the high school football team is replacing weightlifting with shoveling neighbors' driveways.
January 17, 3:50 p.m. -- PennDOT Update
PennDOT has lifted the speed limit and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions that were in place on several roadways in the Pittsburgh region.
Due to the winter storm impacting the region, speed limits were reduced yesterday to 45 mph on all interstates and several other routes in the region, including:
Allegheny County
• Interstates 79, 376 (Parkways East and West), 279 (Parkway North), and 579
• State Routes 22 and 28
Beaver County
• Interstate 376 (Beaver Valley Expressway)
Lawrence County
• Interstates 79 and 376
All speeds are restored to their usual posted limits. PennDOT is continuing to treat roadways in the area and will continue until roads are clear.
Chris Hoffman's update on road conditions in Butler County:
January 17, 1:50 p.m.
Updates from our crews around the region.
Amy Wadas is in Westmoreland County. CLICK HERE.
Andy Sheehan talks to Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey. CLICK HERE.
January 17, 1:45 p.m. -- PennDOT Update
PennDOT's latest on roadway restrictions for District 10.
Tier 3 of the commonwealth's weather event vehicle restriction plan:
• 1-79: 1-80 to End of I-79 (West Virginia State Line)
Tier 2: the commonwealth's weather event vehicle restriction plan:
• I-79: PA Turnpike to I-80
• I-80: Ohio State Line to I-99
Speed limits are restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane.
January 17, 12:45 p.m. -- PennDOT Update
PennDOT has lifted the temporary restrictions on certain vehicles from traveling on the following roadways:
• Interstate 70 in Westmoreland and Washington Counties.
• Interstate 79 in Greene and Washington Counties.
PennDOT has also lifted the speed limit and right-lane-only commercial vehicle restrictions that were in place on several roadways in the region.
January 17, 12:20 p.m.
Here's how to sign up for Pittsburgh's Snow Angel's program.
January 17, 11:35 a.m. -- Pittsburgh Update
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey said he's giving the city workers high marks so far in their efforts the last couple days, adding that he believes they will have the streets cleared by Tuesday morning's rush hour.
January 17, 11:35 a.m. -- PennDOT Update
PennDOT has lifted the temporary Tier restrictions on certain vehicles from traveling on several roadways in Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties.
Allegheny County
• Interstates 79, 376 (Parkways East and West), 279 (Parkway North), and 579
Beaver County
• Interstate 376 (Beaver Valley Expressway)
Lawrence County
• Interstates 79 and 376
Speed limits remain restricted to 45 mph on these roadways in addition to Routes 22 and 28 in Allegheny County for all vehicles, and commercial vehicles not affected by other roadway restrictions must move to the right lane.
January 17, 11:15 a.m. -- Port Authority Update
All Port Authority buses are running 20-30 minutes late, spokesman Adam Brandolph said.
January 17, 10 a.m. -- Allegheny Co. Public Works Update
County Public Works say they currently have 33 trucks deployed, and they will continue to run around the clock until the snow stops and county-maintained roadways are clear.
"This morning, county-maintained roads are passable but not clear of snow due to the additional accumulation and windy conditions. We encourage drivers to stay home, if possible, until the snow stops. Our roads will be slick in spots, and blowing snow might limit visibility," they said in a tweet.
If you must go out, they are asking that you "please slow down, avoid sudden moves, and leave extra space between your vehicle and the one in front of you. Also, give our salt truck drivers plenty of room to operate."
January 17, 8:20 a.m.
The Mall at Robinson will open at noon today due to the inclement weather.
January 17, 7:15 a.m. -- Allegheny Co. Public Works Update
Public Works Director Stephen Shanley held a briefing Monday morning regarding the snow removal process.
January 17, 7:00 a.m. -- More Travel Restrictions
January 17, 6:45 a.m. -- Updates from Beaver County
January 17, 6:00 a.m. -- Port Authority Routes Delayed
January 17, 5:45 a.m. -- PennDOT Provides Update
January 17, 5:40 a.m. -- Measuring the Morning Snow
KDKA Meteorologist Mary Ours took things outside to get a live look at the snow and the most up to date measurement!
January 17, 5:30 a.m. -- Westmoreland Winter Weather
January 17, 4:40 a.m. -- Snow Totals in Pittsburgh
January 17, 4:40 a.m. -- Early Morning Crashes
An ambulance was involved in a crash along Interstate 279.
It's unclear if anyone was injured.
January 17, 4 a.m. -- Early Start to Your Day Pittsburgh
Along I-376 near Penn Hills, numerous cars were seen off to the side of the road due to minor collisions.
Meteorologist Ron Smiley provides an overnight weather update:
January 17, 12:30 a.m. -- Trash pickup delayed in Shaler Township
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Mary Ours: KDKA bio | Facebook | Twitter
Ron Smiley: KDKA bio | Facebook | Twitter
