Stranded 24 hrs in PA back-up

[mdoyle]

Wow would that bring the suck or what? There was a 50 mile back-up due to icy roads near Allentown, PA yesterday. The National Guard brought in Humvees to carry supplies to stranded motorist.

Is anyone on this forum from around there?

[BlueHUMMERH2]

I wasn't stuck in that mess, but 81 shut down last night, and so did 80, in addition to 78 which you mentioned. I was coming back from Mass., over on 84, and happened to turn on the CB at the PA state line and heard that the interstates were all shut down. So I rerouted down 209 to the Northeast Extension of the PA Turnpike, and then took 222 to Reading, and the 422 home. It was horrendous. But at least I wasn't stuck somewhere!

[Captain of the Titanic]

Yeah it's terrible down here in Dallas too. It hit 25 degrees last night. Thankfully it's supposed to be in the 70s by Wednesday.

It was tough. We actually had to wear those... what do you call them?... Oh yeah, coats...

[OrangeCrush]

I saw the pics on the news about the lines that were there. Surely some of those had 4WD and could turn around and go through the median to go home???

I wouldn't have sat there... I'd take my chances making the u-turn.

Mark

[K9sH3]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

I saw the pics on the news about the lines that were there. Surely some of those had 4WD and could turn around and go through the median to go home???

I wouldn't have sat there... I'd take my chances making the u-turn.

Mark

I thought the same thing, I saw Hummers and Jeeps and other suvs. I would have done the same taken the chance turn around and if at worst find a hotel.

[Gunzz]

We just came back from the Poconos a day after that mess due to the storm. We were about 40 minutes away from where the stranding happened, on I-80, in Tannersville. The storm was pretty severe with mostly ice coming down. We decided to stay (good excuse) one more day up there because of the condition of the roads, and now after hearing that we are glad we did. We came back home on Thursday and there was no problems on the roadways at all.

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Originally Posted by OrangeCrush

I saw the pics on the news about the lines that were there. Surely some of those had 4WD and could turn around and go through the median to go home???

I wouldn't have sat there... I'd take my chances making the u-turn.

Mark

The median along most of I-81 and where I-78 started to back up is a concrete barrier, a drop off, or there is forest between the two lanes. I wouldn't have ventured into that median, even with a Hummer. The shoulders were probably piled high with slop, which turned to rock because it was so cold. I-78 apparently drifted badly as well. The HMMWV's got along I-78 by travelling in the westbound lanes which were mostly cleared.

I'm not surprised it got closed, as I travel that highway many times a month and it's awful (I-81).

[OrangeCrush]

Originally Posted by BlueHUMMERH2

The median along most of I-81 and where I-78 started to back up is a concrete barrier, a drop off, or there is forest between the two lanes. I wouldn't have ventured into that median, even with a Hummer. The shoulders were probably piled high with slop, which turned to rock because it was so cold. I-78 apparently drifted badly as well. The HMMWV's got along I-78 by travelling in the westbound lanes which were mostly cleared.

I'm not surprised it got closed, as I travel that highway many times a month and it's awful (I-81).

Ahhhh, I understand. it's frustrating to be sitting there when you have a vehicle that should get you out of trouble when needed.

Mark

[BlueHUMMERH2]

Yeah, it would be miserable... I drove I-81 yesterday, and realized most of the crossovers weren't even plowed open...