The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation held a news conference yesterday to say in case of snow or ice, "We're ready."

District 11, covering Allegheny, Beaver and Lawrence counties, has more than 50,000 tons of road salt and 15,000 tons of anti-skid materials at highway maintenance locations. Its crews have been placed on shifts covering 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Winter has already given us a taste of what is to come this year," District 11 Executive Dan Cessna said. "We want everyone to know we're ready, but people need to do their part as well by being prepared."

In case of major snow, he reminded drivers, PennDOT can't be everywhere at once and that trucks follow a priority list that starts with the interstates and ends with rural roads.