Interstate 78 Closed in Berks County, Pennsylvania

Motorists Should Avoid the Area

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Weather-related problems caused Interstate 78 in Berks County to remain closed Thursday between the Interstate 81 interchange and Exit 49. PennDOT is asking all motorists to avoid the area.

A severe winter storm dropped several inches of a mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain on the area on Tuesday and into Wednesday. As a result, several vehicles became stranded, which led to additional vehicles becoming stuck, abandoned or disabled.

PennDOT crews were unable to get around stuck vehicles. Also, extremely cold temperatures made road salt ineffective, compounding the problems.

PennDOT currently has 17 trucks as well as several front-end loaders and graders from its District 5 working to reopen the roadway. Also, State Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler has redirected an additional 15 vehicles and other equipment from surrounding area to assist with snow-removal operations on I-78.

  PennDOT will issue an advisory when I-78 has reopened.

   CONTACT:  Steve Chizmar
             (717) 783-8800