NEW: Patrick Declares State of Emergency, Bans Vehicle Traffic After 4PM

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Friday, February 08, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

With up to three feet of snow predicted in parts of Massachusetts and snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, Governor Deval Patrick has declared a state of emergency for the Commonwealth and signed an executive order banning vehicle traffic starting at 4:00 p.m.

The travel ban applies statewide until the ban is lifted. There are exceptions for public safety and public health workers, utility workers and members of the media, as well as critical private sector services, such as fuel delivery and healthcare.

No tolls will be collected on the Commonwealth's roads starting at 2:00 p.m. in order to allow toll workers to get home safely before the heaviest period of the storm begins. The MBTA will cease operations at 3:30 p.m.

Patrick said he has been in close contact with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), and thousands of National Guard members are currently standing by on duty. 

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