Turnpike section where hundreds were stranded will reopen

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – State authorities say they hope to quickly reopen a section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Pittsburgh where hundreds of vehicles were stranded during the massive winter storm.

Gov. Tom Wolf told reporters Sunday that only 20 tractor-trailers remain on the turnpike section in Somerset County. He said the drivers voluntarily stayed with their trucks and were “all safe and ready to get going.”

More than 500 cars, trucks and buses – including those carrying the Duquesne  University men’s basketball team and the Temple University gymnastics squad – got stuck there Friday night as the storm hit.

Turnpike chief executive officer Mark Compton vowed “an extensive after-action review” on how the situation developed and the response to it. He said officials hoped to have the turnpike section reopened by mid-afternoon Sunday.