(August 12, 2010) –Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) crews continue to respond to downed trees, high water and traffic signal outages as a result of this morning’s severe storms that moved through the State.  Motorists should allow additional travel throughout the day and anticipate detours and delays.

SHA crews are working to remove debris, such as downed trees or tree limbs from the roadway, as well as restore traffic signals that are currently on flash mode.  Motorists are urged to frequently check SHA’s CHART website at www.roads.maryland.gov  and click “CHART” for real-time traffic information.

Utility crews across the region are working to restore power which in turn will allow traffic signals to return to normal operation.  Motorists are reminded to use extreme caution at intersections with traffic signal outages.  Side street traffic must yield to mainline traffic volumes.

Motorists should never attempt to cross a flooded roadway.  Eighty percent of flood-related deaths occur in vehicles.  Two feet of rapidly moving water can float a bus and six inches can knock a person off their feet.

Motorists and residents are urged to log onto www.roads.maryland.gov and go to the “Regional Information and Districts” link near the bottom of the home page to report safety-related issues along SHA-maintained highways.  SHA maintains all numbered, non-tolled highways.

 

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