Traffic is finally moving again on the Pennsylvania Turnpike after an estimated 500 vehicles were stranded between Somerset and Bedford for nearly 24 hours.
The Turnpike was turned into a parking lot on Friday night as Winterstorm Jonas blanketed the northeast in several feet of snow.
The National Guard was called in to help aid stranded drivers. Rescue crews removed the concrete barriers along the highway median, allowing trapped motorists to turn around and get off the turnpike around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday evening.
Although a travel ban has not been put into place, a 100-mile stretch of the turnpike remains closed to help the stranded drivers leave.
Commercial trucks with oversize loads, multiple trailers, or empty trailers are currently banned from the Turnpike.
UPDATE: @PA_Turnpike remains closed btw. Commercial ban continues. https://t.co/mmOmSGQaPM pic.twitter.com/SJpc9LYP67
— PATurnpike Statewide (@PATPStatewide) January 24, 2016
Update (1/24/2016):
The commercial semi truck ban has been lifted, however the turnpike is still closed for all traffic between Breezewood and New Stanton.
