(January 21, 2014) – State Highway Administration (SHA) crews will work through the night plowing snow-covered routes and applying salt and chemicals. With extremely cold temperatures, even treated roads may be slick or icy so SHA discourages unnecessary travel tonight. After precipitation stops, it generally takes crews four to six hours to reach bare pavement so the less traffic on the road the quicker operations can be complete.

 

“Drivers should prepare for an extended commute tomorrow morning,” stated SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “Crews will continue to address snow coverage on State routes tonight. If you must go out, please drive with extra caution, especially along ramps as crews work to clear travel lanes and reach bare pavement.”

Truck drivers should avoid traveling and can access emergency parking at park and ride locations. Click here to reach the emergency parking locations. This is an interactive map to find safe refuge until after the storm stops.

 

Drivers will encounter “plow trains” where trucks line up in each lane and clear snow left to right. Under no circumstances should drivers try to cut through or go around a plow train. SHA crews are also using special tow plows and double wing plows in the western area to clear more snow at a time. Be sure to give plows plenty of room on all sides – don’t crowd the plow!

 

Once conditions improve, those traveling to the airports, train stations or bus terminals, can Know Before You Go! by dialing 511 for traffic, weather alerts and road conditions. Visit www.MD511.org or www.chart.md.gov to view live traffic cameras and maps.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get more driving safety tips.