According to the National Weather Service, a major Nor’easter is expected to last through Tuesday, February 2. The storm will bring strong winds, coastal flooding and heavy snow fall, and travel – especially commercial and oversize travel – are not recommended during the duration of the storm. Several states have trailer and travel bans in place.
Commercial Vehicle Restrictions
The following commercial vehicle restrictions are in place affecting oversize/overweight and wide load travel.
New York
All travel should be avoided as snow fall rates increase to 2 – 3 inches an hour. Road conditions will continue to get worse as snow fall rates increase. Wind gusts could reach 50 mph or more on Long Island, especially eastern Long Island where 60 mph wind gusts could occur, while many places upstate could see up to 40 mph wind gusts. Blowing and drifting snow will likely cause reduced visibilities and treacherous driving conditions in some places.
The Governor has warned that full road closures could be put in place as the storm intensifies. Unless it is absolutely essential, travel should be avoided until the storm passes.
New York Governor Cuomo directed several state agencies to mobilize emergency response resources, read the full news release here.
NYS Department of Transportation NYSDOT has issued a limited hours of service waiver for fuel deliveries in the counties of Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond and Suffolk. The waiver will be in place through February 7, 2021. A copy of the waiver is available here. If you are utilizing the provisions of the waiver it is recommended you carry a copy in your vehicles.
Effective at 5:00 a.m., Monday, February 1an empty trailer and tandem ban will be in place on the following roads:
- I-84 from Pennsylvania state line to Connecticut state line
- Route 17, east of Binghamton to New Jersey state line
- I-684 for the entire length
NYS Thruway Effective at 5:00 a.m., Monday, February 1, the NYS Thruway will implement a tandem ban (short and long) for the following locations:
- I-87 from NYC Line to Exit 24 (Albany)
- I-95
- I-287 Cross Westchester
An empty trailer truck ban will be effective Monday at 5am for the following locations:
- I-87 between Exit 8 to Exit 21A and the Berkshire Spur
- Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
Port Authority of NY/NJ:
- The Truck Service Center will be closed on Monday, February 1.
- All NJMT container terminals and depots will be closed on Monday, February 1 and Tuesday, February 2.
- George Washington Bridge ban on empty trailers, tandem trailers, motorcycles and house trailers.
- Bayonne Bridge and Outerbridge Crossing ban on tractor-trailers, motorcycles and house and car-pulled trailers.
- Goethals Bridge ban on empty tractor-trailers, empty tandem trailers, motorcycles & house trailers.
MTA Bridges and Tunnels:
- At the Bronx Whitestone, Cross Bay, Marine Parkway, RFK Triborough, Throgs Neck Bridges no Empty tractor trailers/Tandem/Piggyback/dual/ multiple trailers
- Verrazano-Narrows Bridge both levels both directions between Staten Island Side (Staten Island) and Brooklyn Side (New York) all tractor trailers, motorcycles, step vans, minibuses and any vehicle deemed to a potential safety hazard due to cargo or other factors are not permitted.
Pennsylvania: Updated Information as of Monday, February 1: All Commercial Vehicles banned:
- I-283: PA Turnpike to I-83
- I-81: MD Line to NY Line
- I-83: MD Line to I-81
- I-78: I-81 to NJ Line
- I-80: I-99 to NJ Line
- I-84: I-81 to NY Line
- I-380: I-80 to I-81
- I-476 PA Turnpike: Lehigh Valley to Clarks Summit
- PA 33: I-78 to I-80
- US 22: I-78 to New Jersey State Line
All Commercial Vehicles banned w/o Chains or ATD Onboard:
- I-476 PA Turnpike: Pocono to Clarks Summit
- I-95 PA Turnpike: I-276 to NJ line
- I-76 PA Turnpike: Breezewood to Harrisburg East
- I-276 PA Turnpike: Valley Forge to I-95 connector
- I-476 PA Turnpike: Mid County to Lehigh Valley
- I-76 PA Turnpike: Carlisle to Valley Forge
Empty Tractor Trailers banned:
- I-99: PA Turnpike to I-80
- I-80: I-79 to I-99
- I-676: I-76 to NJ Line
- I-295: PA Turnpike to NJ Line
- I-70: PA Turnpike to MD Line
- I-76: PA Turnpike to NJ Line
- I-476: I-95 to Turnpike 476
- I-95: DE Line to NJ Line
- I-95 PA Turnpike: I-276 to NJ line
- I-76 PA Turnpike: Breezewood to Valley Forge
- I-276 PA Turnpike: Valley Forge to I-95 connector
- I-476 PA Turnpike: Mid County to Clarks Summit
View Pennsylvania restriction information here.
New Jersey: New Jersey has issued a State of Emergency – all unnecessary travel should be avoided.
As of 12:00 p.m., Sunday, January 31, New Jersey has implemented a full commercial vehicle ban on all interstates and highways. All tractor trailers, empties, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreation vehicles and motorcycles are included in the ban.
The restriction does not include the New Jersey Turnpike or the Garden State Parkway.A speed restriction of 35 mph is in place on the New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway.
New Jersey truck parking information is available here.
**New Jersey has exempted government, civilian, or contracted personnel involved with the transportation of medical supplies and/or medications, including but not limited to the COVID-19 vaccines from the tractor trailer ban. A copy of the executive order is available here.
Connecticut:
Connecticut has implemented an empty and tandem tractor trailer ban on all limited access highways.
A full tractor trailer ban remains in place on:
- I-84
**Vehicles carrying emergency supplies necessary for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to vaccines, testing supplies, or medications are exempt from the ban. A copy of the executive order is available here.
Rhode Island: Rhode Island has implemented a tractor trailer ban beginning at 5:00 a.m., Monday, February 1 on all state highways. A copy of the proclamation is available here.
Massachusetts: As of 10:00 a.m., Monday, February 1, Massachusetts has implemented a travel ban for tractor trailers, tandems, and specially permitted vehicles on all limited access highways.