(February 12, 2014) – As the region anticipates heavy snow, sleet, freezing rain or a combination of all three, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) is preparing for anything Mother Nature offers. Crews will begin deployment this afternoon and continue until roads are safe and passable. The simple message to drivers is to stay off of the roads during the storm. The evening and Thursday morning rush hour could be the worst of the season.

“Our focus today is loading salt trucks, fueling up trucks and servicing equipment.  We are monitoring the forecast and preparing for the storm, which has the potential to be one of the worst we have seen in recent years,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “Snow is expected to fall at fast, heavy rates later today. Motorists should not take the forecast lightly. Please avoid traveling and allow SHA crews and other emergency responders to safely clear the roads.”

At its Statewide Operations Center, SHA has nearly 700 camera images along state and local roads in every corner of Maryland. Additionally, nearly 39 weather stations with pavement sensors and equipment are available to monitor pavement temperatures, air temperatures, moisture and salinity on roadways across the State. Crews also have access to 14 salt brine facilities and 94 salt barns and domes throughout Maryland.

SHA has identified several areas for truckers to park to wait out the storm and avoid problems along highways. Click here for listing of refuge lots for Emergency Truck Parking locations.  To assist with traffic management, SHA will position large heavy duty tow trucks in strategic areas along the interstate system for rapid response.

Intense snow and high winds are possible as the storm develops, resulting in snow blowing back onto travel lanes not long after plow trucks have passed. Crews will actively plow throughout the storm, making several passes along their designated routes. If travel is unavoidable, drivers should not get in the way of plows – maintain a safe distance behind the trucks.

Be on the lookout for fallen trees and branches caused by power outages. According to forecasts, the storm will not only bring heavy, wet snow to much of the State, it will be accompanied by high winds as the storm intensifies.  Signal outages are possible, and drivers should approach dark intersections as four-way stops. All travelers should remain alert for pedestrians and utility crews.  SHA reminds motorists to clean vehicles off completely before driving.  This includes not only glass surfaces but the hood and roof of vehicles, as well as head and tail lights.

After most snowstorms, some common nuisances are potholes! SHA is expecting a significant amount of potholes to form in the coming weeks.  With the amount of rain and snowfall this season, crews will repair pavement with temporary cold patch as temperatures increase.

“Our main priority during this storm is public safety and clearing roads,” added Peters.  “We ask for the public’s patience during the next several days. SHA will refocus its efforts on pothole repairs as soon as possible.  Please keep in mind, the same crews clear the snow as repair potholes, so snow emergencies will impact our response time. We ask that the public continues to report potholes using our online system.”

Citizens can report potholes on SHA routes (the numbered roads) by clicking here.

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 the MD511 or CHART site to view live traffic cameras and maps.  Follow us on Facebook and Twitter and log onto www.roads.maryland.gov to get more tips for safe winter weather driving.