Senate Committees review state's storm response

Joint hearing focuses on highway closures that stranded thousands

Harrisburg - One week after a winter storm shut down several major highways and stranded thousands of motorists, two Senate Committees conducted a joint public hearing to review the state's response to the crisis and determine how the Commonwealth can react better to similar emergency situations in the future.

"Living in Northwestern Pennsylvania, we are used to dealing with some of the harshest weather that Mother Nature can dish out during the winter," Senator Robbins said. "However, we were reminded on February 14 that snow and ice can play havoc with travel. It is important that the Legislature fully review the actions taken during and after that storm.

"The closure of several long sections of three major interstate highways brought travel in Northeastern Pennsylvania to a standstill and stranded many motorists," Senator Robbins continued. "It is essential to conduct a comprehensive review of the decisions made and actions undertaken by the Administration, PENNDOT, the state police and emergency management officials in response to the storm and, perhaps most importantly, learn from the mistakes that were made."

The Senate Transportation Committee and Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee held a joint public hearing on Thursday (February 22) to examine the state's response to the Valentine's Day winter storm, which closed portions of Interstate 78, Interstate 80 and Interstate 81.

Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, State Police Commissioner Col. Jeffrey B. Miller, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency Director James R. Joseph, and Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, state Adjutant General, fielded questions from several Senators who inquired about the state's response to the storm.

While the Senators questioned the timing and direction of the state's efforts to clear the Interstate highways during and immediately after the storm, they especially questioned the testifiers regarding the situation that resulted in a 50-mile traffic jam on I-78, where thousands of motorists were stranded in sub-freezing temperatures – some for nearly 24 hours.

Contact:

Michael Hengst
(717) 787-1322