11:39 UPDATE: PA State Police say they are investigating several crashed on I-79.
Troopers say that at least one person has died in one of the crashes and at least 18 vehicles are involved.
The road between mile-markers 80 and 88 is expected to be closed for several hours (up to 5 hours).
A multi-vehicle accident on Interstate 79 north of Pittsburgh has closed the road in both directions.
I-79 is closed from northbound Cranberry (Exit 78:PA 228) to Zelienople (Exit 88. US19/PA68). PennDOT says that part of the road will remain closed until the scene is cleared.
The southbound closure is from Zelienople to the PA Turnpike (Exit 77).
The area was hit with a quick and heavy amount of snow, causing road conditions to deteriorate.
PennDOT has places speed limit restrictions on I-79 between Erie to Butler. The speed limit is 45.
Other restrictions:
Clarion and Jefferson Counties between Exit 45: PA 478 – St. Petersburg/Emlenton and Exit 97: Route 219 – DuBois/Brockway. Speed limits are restricted to 45 miles per hour for all vehicles, and commercial vehicles must move to the right lane.