In this, the one hundred year anniversary of Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration’s modern road building, forecasters are predicting one of the heaviest snow seasons ever.

 

100 years ago, SHA’s predecessor, the State Road Commission would respond to a snow emergency to clear roadways by marching out hundreds of workers, armed with shovels, to begin the tedious process of removing snow from Maryland’s roads by hand. Before then, Marylanders would just have to brave the snow on their own and wait for it to melt.

By the 1940s, snow plows had been introduced to the SHA. Back then, when it snowed, one man would drive the plow while his partner would stand in the back of the dump truck and shovel salt and sand onto the roadway.

A lot has changed since those early days and it is probably a good thing, given the current snow forecast for the 2008-09 winter season.
 
According to an SHA press release, no matter what this winter brings, SHA is prepared for whatever nature throws Maryland’s way. When a snow event is imminent, SHA sends out crews to pre-treat bridges, ramps and overpasses – areas of highway that are notorious for freezing early and causing the most problems for motorists. The pre-treatment effort begins 24-hours before snow is predicted to fall.

The tireless SHA workers also apply salt and pre-moistened salt in advance of predicted sleet or freezing rain storms. In doing so, the SHA not only saves money and materials, but keeps roadways open and passable longer than when only treating road surfaces after the event.

In preparation for this year’s season SHA has stockpiled more than 336,000 tons of salt and placed eight salt brine machines in strategic locations across the State. However, rural areas such as the lion’s share of Southern Maryland require even more planning and strategy. SHA tackles the challenging snow levels in the rural parts of the State with a fleet of almost 80 wing plows, which allow plow drivers to remove more snow in a single pass than traditional plows used in urban areas.

“We are committed to staying ahead of winter storms. Helping people remain safe on the roads is at the core

 

of all SHA operations,” stated SHA Administrator Neil J. Pedersen, who also serves as the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative.  “We strongly encourage motorists to stay one step ahead of winter weather and log onto www.marylandroads.com and click the ‘CHART’ icon.  When on the road, be sure to take it slow on ice and snow.”
 
In these more modern, efficient times, SHA relies on more than 100 roadway cameras across the state to keep crews moving in areas most affected by the storm. More cameras are being added each year to help reduce response time to problem areas and increase road safety.

As an aide to motorists, SHA has installed six new dynamic message signs to keep motorists informed of road conditions ahead. In addition to the signs, motorists may go to the Web site or call can also call the Winter Storm Hotline at 1-800-327-3125 for winter weather