Major Pa. highways closed, bad wreck on I-80 sends 17 to hospital

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Pennsylvania shut down major highways today after the roadways were rendered nearly impassable by a winter storm that brought much of the state to a standstill and hampered efforts to restore power to thousands in western Pennsylvania.

The state shut down Interstate 76 and I-676 in Philadelphia, leaving the city of 1.5 million with only one usable major artery, Interstate 95, as it was poised to break its seasonal snowfall record set in 1996.

The state also closed I-476 in suburban Philadelphia and I-83, I-78, I-176 and part of I-81 in central and eastern Pennsylvania.

“For your safety, do not drive,” Gov. Ed Rendell said. “You will risk your life and, potentially, the lives of others if you get stuck on highways or any road.”

Blockades were being put up at entrance ramps of closed highways. Rendell said no motorists were stranded on the highways; nearly 1,200 National Guard members were patrolling highways, transporting patients and shutting down interstate ramps, said Col. Xavier Stewart.

Speed restrictions were placed on highways that remain open and tractor-trailers were being told to stay off some highways.

Earlier, crashes on eastbound Interstate 80 in Clearfield County closed a nine-mile stretch of the highway and sent 17 people to a hospital, though only three were admitted.