(December 9, 2013) - With a second round of snow anticipated on Tuesday morning, Maryland State Highway Administration crews are preparing for a storm that could hit during the morning rush hour.  Heavy bands of snow are predicted between 6 and 9 a.m. Tuesday morning and commuters are asked to begin preparing today for what could be a difficult morning for travel.  If the storm does begin and heavy snow is falling during the morning rush hours, it is imperative travelers stay off the roads and allow SHA crews and contractors the space to plow and salt.

Just as with the storm that dumped as much as 8-10 inches of snow in many areas on Sunday, it is crucial for motorists to have realistic expectations during the actual snow event.  Crews cannot keep the travel lanes bare while snow is still coming down.  For a three to six inch snowfall, the goal is to achieve bare pavement within four to six hours. 

“If this storm arrives during the morning rush hour on Tuesday, we ask people to delay travel – stay OFF the roads and allow professional drivers the ability to plow the roads,” said SHA Administrator Melinda B. Peters.  “Crews need space to operate and if they are stuck in the same traffic as everyone else, they cannot do their job.”

In addition to plows and dump trucks, additional emergency traffic patrols will be on duty to assist disabled vehicles and manage roadway incidents.

Remember - ramps, bridges and overpasses and three to five degrees colder than non-elevated surfaces and will freeze first, so drivers should remain on guard at all times.  If your vehicle does become disabled, make every effort to move from the travel lane and onto the shoulder. Remain alert for inactive traffic signals as a result of power outages. Use EXTREME caution and treat it is as a four-way stop – it’s the law. Remember to buckle up, “Take It Slow on Ice and Snow” and drive sober!

Sign up for SHA’s FREE service -- the “511 Traveler Information” system.  Know Before You Go! Dial 511 from a land line or mobile phone for traffic, weather alerts and road conditions.   For internet access, visit www.MD511.org.

Before leaving, log onto www.roads.maryland.gov and click the CHART icon for the latest road conditions, live traffic cameras and a variety of information to help with travel decisions and planning.  Customers can also follow SHA on Facebook and Twitter.

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