Storm prompts truck restrictions on New York highways, bridges

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul late Thursday, Dec. 22, declared a state of emergency for the entire state in advance of a significant winter weather system forecast to bring what a statement from the governor called “a mixed bag of hazards” across the state beginning Thursday evening and continuing through Monday.

Restrictions on commercial motor vehicles are in place as the storm is forecast to deliver heavy rain and snow, strong winds, coastal and lakeshore flooding and flash freezing in various regions across the state throughout the holiday weekend. In addition, lake effect snow is expected to impact areas along Lakes Erie and Ontario beginning Friday night and continuing into Monday with total snow accumulations forecast to reach up to 3 feet.

The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning for parts of Western and Central New York. Wind gusts as high as 70 mph are expected during the day on Friday, Dec. 23.

As a result, the following commercial vehicle restrictions are being implemented:

NYS Thruway:

Beginning at 6 a.m., Friday, Dec. 23, and continuing until conditions improve, ban on all empty and tandem (LCV’s & Pups) tractor trailers

  • I-90 (NYS Thruway) from Pennsylvania to exit 46NYS

New York State Department of Transportation

Beginning at 6 a.m., Friday, Dec. 23, and continuing until conditions improve. Ban on all empty and tandem tractor-trailers on the following highways:·

  • I-190 (Buffalo Avenue to Witmer Road)
  • Skyway Complex (Route 5; I-190 to Route 179)
  • I-990 (all)
  • I-290 (all)
  • Route 33 (Oak Street to Genesee Street)
  • Route 400 (all)
  • Route 219 (I-90 to Peters Road)

Beginning at  noon, Friday, Dec. 23, and continuing until conditions improve, trucks are restricted to the right-hand lane on the following highways:·

  • I-81: Exit 32 (Central Square) to Exit 51 (Alex Bay)

NYC Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges:

Beginning at 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, and continuing until 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, ban on all empty and tandem tractor trailers on the following bridges:·

  • Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
  • Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge
  • Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
  • Robert F. Kennedy Bridge
  • Throgs Neck Bridge·Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge

Pennsylvania Turnpike:

Beginning at 4 a.m. Friday, Dec. 23, and continuing until conditions improve, ban on all empty tractor trailers

  • I-90: Full length (Ohio line to New York line)

For updated conditions, visit 511NY.org and 511PA.com.