Travel Advisory Issued For Erie County, NYS Thruway To Close

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz has issued a travel advisory and Governor Kathy Hochul announced that the New York State Thruway will be closed to commercial traffic. With several feet of snow expected to fall in Buffalo and Western New York, travel will be potentially hazardous.

Poloncarz tweeted that a travel advisory is in effect already for southern Erie County and will go into effect for the rest of the county today, Thursday, November 17, 2022.

A travel advisory for all of Erie County will go into effect tomorrow, 11/17, at 7pm. There is a travel advisory for southern Erie County as of 7pm tonight (11/16).

Trucks stand still along the New York State Thruway after a five mile wide band of lake-effect snow dumped more than two feet of snow and closed a 16-mile stretch of the road December 2, 2010 in Buffalo, New York. Some drivers on the thruway remained trapped in their cars for more than 15 hours. (Photo by John Normile/Getty Images)

New York State Thruway To Close To Commercial Traffic Due To Snowstorm

The New York State Department of Transportation has issued a full commercial vehicle ban starting Thursday at 4 p.m.

Interstate 190 - Route 62 to I-90 Interstate 290 - full length Interstate 990 - full length Route 33 - full length Route 219 - Route 39 to I-90 Route 400 - full length Buffalo Skyway Route 5 - full length I-81 - Exit 33 to Canadian border - trucks use right lane only

The NY DOT will have 3,287 supervisors and operators available. Snow plows will be deployed in all regions that are expected to be hit by the snowstorm.

John McDonnell attempts to dig his car out by hand after a five mile wide band of lake-effect snow dumped more than two feet of snow and closed a 16-mile stretch of the New York State Thruway December 2, 2010 in Blasdell, New York. Some drivers on the thruway remained trapped in their cars for more than 15 hours. (Photo by John Normile/Getty Images)

Only Essential Workers Should Travel On The Roads During The Snowstorm

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz recommends that residents stay home and work from their house, if possible, during the snowstorm. Poloncarz told WGRZ Channel 2 that due to the severity of the storm, working from home is the safest option.

It is going to be a very significant snow event with snow falling at rates of up to three inches per hour. You should stay home on Friday. You should consider Friday to be a work from home day if you can work from home. I fully expect most of the school districts will probably hede the advice if the weather forecast doesn't change, then they'll be closed. This is not a time you want to be driving on the streets. This is a time you want to be in a safe location and the safest location you can be is home.

Buffalo Public School has already announced that it will be closed on Friday, November 18. Poloncarz also recommends that school districts in Erie County close on Friday, if the forecast remains the same.

Most WNYers really don't have a need to travel during the storm's peak on Thursday evening and Friday. Stay home, if at all possible.

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