Snow Removal Efforts to Continue Throughout the Day

The State Highway Administration is urging drivers to be cautious this morning as snow removal and plowing efforts continue throughout the day.

Freezing temperatures have left an icy layer under packed snow, which could be treacherous for morning commuters. 

More than 2,000 SHA crew members have been deployed as of 5:30 a.m., according to a release. About 450 Baltimore County personnel have salted all county roads and most major roads have been plowed, though secondary roads are still covered.  

“It takes our drivers up to one and one half hours to complete a snow route, and longer when a salt refill is needed,” said SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen.  “If you travel the road where a plow has just passed, you will experience near-bare pavement conditions.  If you are traveling at the start of the route before the next lap, you will encounter much more difficult traveling.  We ask people to delay travel this morning if possible to allow our crews to continue their operations.”

The State Highway Administration has offered the following tips for drivers:

• Fill your gas tank.
• Clear off your entire vehicle.
• Pack your car snow survival kit, including: a flashlight and extra batteries, charged cell phone and extra batteries, blanket, water, shovel and basic tool kit.

 When driving in the snow:

• Never pass a plow train  (a group of plows staggered across all lanes to push snow from left to right and clear the road all at once).
• If you get behind a snow plow, follow it at a safe distance to have the best possible road conditions ahead of you.
• Remember speed limits are set for fair weather conditions—take it slow in ice and snow.

You can follow the Maryland State Highway Administration on Twitter here.

You can follow the county’s snow removal efforts on Twitter here.