February 21st, 2015 by WCBC Radio

The Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration (SHA) and the Transportation Authority (MDTA) have 2,400 trucks plowing and salting throughout the state to keep roads passable during the storm. Today, collisions and abandoned vehicles hampered operations and contributed to traffic jams and difficulties treating roadways. With freezing rain predicted, SHA encourages everyone to avoid driving and if already traveling, get to their destinations and stay.

“Making sure the citizens of our state are kept informed and out of harm’s way will always be our number one priority, especially during winter storms like this one,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We are strongly encouraging Marylanders to use common sense and to avoid driving during this storm.”

Travelers may obtain the latest free traffic and weather information by calling 5-1-1 from a landline or a hands-free mobile device or logging onto www.MD511.org.  The website includes traffic camera images, maps of speeds and locations of incidents. Maryland’s 511 service offers free text and email alerts for most frequented routes through 511Direct – simply register and set your routes and preferences on-line.

Since the snow is forecast to turn to an icy mix, road crews will leave some snow on travel lanes to combine with salt and leave a slushy layer to prevent freezing precipitation from bonding to pavements and coating it with ice.  Driving in icy conditions is difficult no matter what type of vehicle a motorist uses, including four-wheel drives.

SHA maintains the numbered roads in Maryland with the exception of those on Baltimore City or tolled roads (including the ICC, I-95 north of Baltimore City, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge etc…).  MDTA maintains Maryland’s toll facilities. For those who wish to inquire about non-state roads, a list of County roads departments is here, http://roads.maryland.gov/index.aspx?pageid=9

Long distance commercial truck drivers may take safe haven during the storms at select SHA park and ride facilities across Maryland.  Click here (http://roads.maryland.gov/pages/emergencytruckparking.aspx?pageid=856) for a list of park and rides that are available.  Dispatch centers should consider delaying shipments during the storm to prevent potential problems for commercial vehicles and drivers

Customers may also follow SHA on Twitter @MDSHA and “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MarylandStateHighwayAdministration.