Preparations underway for the winter driving season

Harrisburg, Pa. — Get your snow shovels and salt ready! (Already?)

Officials from PennDOT and the PA Turnpike discussed winter season preparations on Wednesday, including new measures signed into law, and showcased new equipment to keep Pa. roads clear.

Vehicles from each agency were on site equipped with new, additional green lights which are incorporated with existing flashing or revolving yellow (amber) lights.

In July, Governor Josh Shapiro signed Act 78 of 2024 into law, allowing for added green lights to increase safety by making construction and maintenance operations more visible. The lights have been used in other states and are proven to improve vehicles' visibility, officials said.

To help the public prepare for the season and share information about winter services, PennDOT offers operational information and traveler resources on its winter web page . The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT's 11 engineering districts .

More than 600 equipment operators and safety patrol personnel as well as traffic operators are ready to provide 24/7 staffing and roadway assistance throughout the winter, according to the agency. With more than $186 million budgeted for this winter's statewide operations, PennDOT deploys about 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 728,000 tons of salt on hand across the state, and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter.

Extra winter work

PennDOT is actively seeking temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department's full-time staff. Details on minimum requirements – such as possession of a CDL – as well as application information, are available at www.employment.pa.gov/penndot .

Through the same website and www.employment.pa.gov , job seekers can apply for other non-operator winter positions such as diesel and construction equipment mechanics, welders, clerks and more.

Get your winter emergency kit ready

Remember to prepare for potential wintry weather by stocking your car with the essentials:

The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at www.511PA.com . During the winter, find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed.

The information is made possible by PennDOT's Automated Vehicle Location technology, which uses units in the over 2,600 department-owned and rented plow trucks to send a cellular signal showing a truck's location.

"We all know that winter weather can be tricky in Pennsylvania," Pennsylvania Turnpike COO Craig Shuey said. "Drivers need to be aware of the conditions and drive accordingly. We have employees out there working to clear the roadway who want to get home to their families, so we ask drivers to give plenty of distance between them and the plow trucks, and don't try to pass trucks spreading salt.