(November 2, 2012) – The State Highway Administration (SHA) teams redeployed to Western Maryland have been busy removing trees and snow along Garrett County roads during the past three days.  The more than 60 employees took a convoy of dump trucks, front end loaders and crew cab trucks west to aid in the clean up.  During the last three days, SHA teams have worked alongside Garrett County forces and removed 1974 trees and cleared snow from 250 miles of county roads.

“It’s been pretty rough – a lot of people without electricity; we’ve been trying to do the best we can to get things open,” said Leo Lavin, a crew member from SHA’s Allegany County shop who was operating a front-end loader Friday to help lift fallen trees and branches off of roads. “We’re getting in better shape, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”

SHA’s crews have aided residents who have been without power for days and in some cases unable to leave their homes due to downed trees and heavy snow.  The Garrett County Roads Department has asked for SHA’s forces to work with them until Sunday night to widen the roadways for the school buses, which should take two more days. Plans are to have all SHA forces, including tree crews, heading home Sunday night.

“It is gratifying to help people when there has been such a dramatic impact on their safety and well being,” said District Engineer Anthony Crawford. “We are really pleased to be making progress and help people be able to get food, shelter and medical attention.”

“Our number one priority is to open the roads for these essential services, and it has really been a team effort by everyone involved, including SHA, Garrett County, and local towns,” Crawford said. “I especially appreciate the assistance from SHA crews from across the state, who reached out to Western Maryland before and during the hurricane to see if there was anything they could do to help.”

Additionally, SHA has supplied fuel for generators at the Oakland Road and Eagle Rock Communication towers late Wednesday night. A significant concern had been radio communications because of power issues at the three tower sites in the county.  With the refueled generators, communications should be more secure.

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