(February 20, 2008) –Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) crews will be out in force this afternoon and evening as a fast-moving storm is expected to produce moderate snowfall for counties west of the Chesapeake Bay. SHA is monitoring the storm and will spread salt and plow as needed this afternoon and evening. Given the storm is expected to occur during the evening rush hour, SHA asks motorists to plan ahead and expect travel delays.          
          
Bridges, ramps and overpasses are generally three to five degrees colder than road surfaces and will freeze first! SHA asks motorists to proceed with caution this evening, expect the unexpected and drive well below the posted speed limit on wet or icy roads.           
          
"A good thing to remember when on the roads - ice and snow, take it slow," said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen. "Several storms have occurred this winter during rush hours and delays are expected this afternoon. SHA crews will plow and salt as needed, but if there are extensive delays this afternoon, our trucks may be stuck in the same traffic as everyone else. We ask motorists to continue to use caution."           
          
In general, it takes SHA plow drivers approximately 45 minutes to one hour to drive their route from beginning to end, not including re-stocking salt or replenishing gas. If the plow driver is sitting in rush-hour traffic, it may take much longer to complete their route.           
          
The success in clearing roads is based on how long it takes to reach bare pavement AFTER the storm is complete. During any storm, the goal of crews is to work diligently to keep pace with the storm, not clear the road to bare pavement.           
          
          
# # #