More than a full week has elapsed since the snow and ice storm last Wednesday that stranded hundreds of motorists on Interstate-78, and finally those commuters received an apology from PennDot chief Allen Biehler.

As hearings opened this week, what has become apparent is the lack of coordination and communication among various agencies. For example, motorists began calling 911 as early as 12:26 PM Wednesday afternoon. Such calls are routed to the Consolidated Dispatch Center in Norristown. And yet it was not until 4:33 PM, an astounding four hours later, that the Dispatch Center filed a report of a backup on I-78.

Almost as astounding is that Governor Rendell did not find out about the potential disaster until 8:00 PM. And as Brian Gottschall, Berks County Emergency Management Director pointed out in his report, there was no one taking charge while traffic continued to back up.

One can only wonder what may have happened, or what could yet happen, should there be a need for a major evacuation in the case of some natural or man-made disaster.

Morning Call columnist Bill White is following the hearings and reporting via his live blog.

 This is Interstate-78 as seen from Upper Macungie Township. I-78 was re-opened yesterday after being closed since late Wednesday due the winter storm that hit the area and stranded motorists on the roadway for up to 20 hours or more. Portions of I-80 and I-81 were also closed.

Embarrassed governor Ed "Cheese Steak" Rendell*, who called the state's response "unacceptable", has apologized to motorists and also has promised to investigate why PennDOT crews failed to keep the highway clear and why the state's response was so slow. Many stuck commuters also noted that in all the time they spent stranded, they saw no National Guardsmen despite the fact that the Guard was deployed to provide supplies and aid.

* The term "Cheese Steak" is my own nickname for Rendell, who really does look like he's had a few too many of the signature Philadelphia sandwiches.