The York Dispatch reports on Pennsylvania DOT and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) preparations for the coming winter. Craig Shuey, the turnpike’s COO, told reporters his agency’s equipment fleet has been readied and more than 425 trained operators will be available around the clock. PennDOT, which has budgeted $212 million for winter operations, “is actively seeking nearly 700 temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department’s full-time staff.” The department will be conducting a pilot project this year with variable speed limit signs (VSLs) “that quickly reduce speed limits when visibility or roadway conditions call for lower speeds.” At the 63 places where PennDOT plans to use VSLs through April, “permanent speed limit signs will be covered, and the normal posted speed limit will be displayed on the VSL unless visibility or winter weather conditions call for slower speeds.”
