Travel Ban On Multiple State Roads In Buffalo Area Due To Blizzard

Governor Kathy Hochul declared a State of Emergency in New York State, ahead of the massive storm that is expected to hit today through Christmas weekend. She also announced that several major state roads are closed to travel in Western New York.

The State Department of Transportation is closing the following roads in Erie County to all traffic starting at 6 am today, Friday, December 23, 2022, until conditions improve:

-State Route 400
-State Route 219
-I-290
-I-190
-State Route 5 (Big Tree Road to I-190)

A restriction for trucks "Trucks Use Right Lane" on Interstate 81 from Exit 32 (Central Square) to Exit 51 (Alex Bay) starting at noon Friday.

 

In addition to the roads listed above, starting at 6 am also, there will be a travel ban in place for all commercial vehicles on the New York State Thruway, I-90, from exit 46 to the Pennsylvania border, and the Niagara Thruway from I-90 to exit 22. Governor Hochul said,

With Mother Nature throwing everything she has at us this weekend, I encourage New Yorkers who are considering traveling for the holidays to do so before Friday or after Sunday to stay safe. Our agencies are well prepared, coordinated and ready to deploy assets and equipment if needed to respond to the storm. We want all New Yorkers to get where they need to go safely to celebrate the holidays with loved ones.

According to the Governor's office, the State Department of Transportation has 3,450 supervisors and operators prepared to respond when and where they are needed. The state is ready to deploy all of its equipment.

To support response activities in critical areas, a total of 65 staff, including 59 plow truck operators, 4 supervisors, 1 assistant manager, 1 ICS support specialist, 10 plow trucks, 2 snow blowers, and 1 grader are being deployed to Western New York.

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