(January 16, 2009) – As Maryland welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors for the 56th Presidential Inauguration, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) is piloting a new customer information tool.           

SHA is now on Twitter, a free social messaging tool. It takes a basic Facebook application, “status updates,” and allows people to connect with their communication network in real-time.           

Customers may register for brief, 140-character updates on any portable device that can receive text messages or email account. Receiving traffic updates from SHA via Twitter is easy. Log onto the web address www.marylandroads.com and connect to Twitter or go directly to http://twitter.com/MDSHA and “follow” us.           

Additionally, the Maryland Transportation Authority will record up-to-date voice messages on a toll-free line, 1-888-MDTA411 (1-888-638-2411).          
“If you must drive on January 20, please be sure to check traffic conditions and allow a tremendous amount of extra travel time,” said State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. “We want everyone to enjoy their visit to the nation’s capital and the State of Maryland.”          
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