Hazardous travel conditions expected from heavy snow and freezing temperatures has led NY Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to announce a ban on tractor trailers and commercial buses from certain highways in western and upstate NY beginning at 8 p.m. tonight and on portions of the Interstate 81 corridor beginning Wednesday at noon.
Most areas in the path of the storm will see 6 to 8 inches of snow, with areas that typically experience lake effect snow, including southern Erie County, the Chautauqua Ridge in Western New York, and the Tug Hill Plateau in Northern New York likely seeing significantly higher amounts of snow through Friday morning.
Beginning at 8 p.m. tonight, tractor trailers and commercial buses will be banned from the New York State Thruway from Exit 46 (Rochester I-390) to the Pennsylvania border as well as Interstate 190, Interstate 290, State Route 400, U.S. Route 219 from Peters Road to Interstate 90; and State Route 5 from State Route 179 to I-190.
Beginning at noon Wednesday, tractor trailers and commercial buses will be banned on Interstate 81 from the Canadian Border to State Route 104.
The bans will last for the duration of the storm.
As the weather system winds down, a polar vortex moving in from the north will deliver dangerously cold wind chills late Tuesday night and continue through Thursday. Travel will be difficult across the state as blowing snow and freezing temperatures will result in near-blizzard conditions, authorities say.
Governor Cuomo has directed a Level 3 activation of the State Emergency Operations Center in order to prepare for and assist with any potential emergency response activities.
Motorists are reminded to check 511NY before traveling at or by downloading the mobile app. The free service allows users to check road conditions and features a winter travel advisory system with real-time travel reports and a color-coded map indicating which state roads are clear, wet or snow covered. The system provides motorists with a helpful resource to determine if travel is advisable.
The Thruway Authority also encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available to download for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go.
