For Immediate Release: 12/10/21   
Contact: Office of Media Relations and Communications | (518) 471-5300 | public.info@thruway.ny.gov 

**UPDATE: The empty trailer ban will be lifted at 4 a.m. tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 12**

THRUWAY AUTHORITY ANNOUNCES EMPTY TRUCK BAN WILL GO INTO EFFECT IN PORTIONS OF WESTERN NEW YORK AND FINGER LAKES REGIONS AT NOON SATURDAY, DEC. 11

Due to Heavy Winds Up to 70 MPH, All Empty Trucks and High-Profile Vehicles Will Be Banned on I-90 Between Exit 42 (Geneva) and Exit 61 (Ripley and Pennsylvania Border)

All Motorists Are Urged to Drive with Caution and Adjust Speed

The New York State Thruway Authority today announced a ban empty tractor trailers and high-profile vehicles, and empty tandems from portions of the New York State Thruway system in the Western New York and the Finger Lakes Regions due to high wind warnings and high wind watches.

The ban will take effect beginning at noon on Saturday, December 11 until further notice.

Empty tractor trailers and tandems will be banned from the following highways:

• I-90 between exit 42 (Geneva) and exit 61 (Ripley to PA line)
• Niagara Thruway (I-190)

According to the National Weather Service, gusts up to 70 MPH are expected Saturday afternoon and evening east of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. Strong winds are expected to produce areas of damage and power outages. Speed reductions may be implemented if necessary.

Variable Message Signs and social media are utilized to alert motorists of winter weather conditions on the Thruway. 

The Thruway Authority encourages motorists to download its mobile app which is available for free on iPhone and Android devices. The app provides motorists direct access to real-time traffic and navigation assistance while on the go. Motorists can also sign up for TRANSalert e-mails which provide the latest traffic conditions along the Thruway here. 

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