Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Mon Nov 14, 2011, 10:34 PM EST
LAVALE — With the official start of winter just weeks away, the Maryland State Highway urges motorists to make preparations now to deal to with hazardous travel conditions that are fast approaching.
Since 2000, Western Maryland has averaged 30 winter storms every year, compared to seven on the Eastern Shore and in Southern Maryland and eight in the Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area. The Oct. 29 snowstorm was the earliest metro area winter storm since 2000. The storm dumped up to 11 inches of snow in western Allegany County.
Travelers can plan ahead before hitting the pavement by logging onto the cyber highway at www.roads.maryland. gov and clicking on “CHART” — Coordinated Highway Action Response Team. The CHART website offers travel information, snow emergency plans, real-time traffic camera views, weather information, average travel speed maps and incident-related road closure reports. CHART is located at the Statewide Operations Center in Hanover where SHA personnel have access to hundreds of cameras throughout the state.
The easiest way to report any issues along SHA-maintained highways is through the Customer Care Management System by logging onto roads.maryland gov and go to “Contact Us” tab and click on “Submit a Service Request.” The online submission form is easy to fill out and will be directed to the proper department within SHA to address the issue.
In the event of snow, motorists are urged:
• Not to drive if you don’t have to.
• Don’t Crowd the Plow — never pass a snow plow or plow train (a series of plows working in tandem). If driving behind a snow plow or salt truck, provide plenty of space (at least seven to eight car lengths) behind the truck.
• Know Before You Go — Call 511 or 1-855-GOMD511 or visit www.md511.org for current travel information.
• Remember that bridges, ramps and overpasses freeze first. Use caution when driving across them.
• Four-wheel drive vehicles are just as vulnerable to slipping on ice as regular two-wheel drive vehicles.
• Pack a winter driving survival kit —including a shovel, blanket, water, jumper cables, flares, snacks and a flash light.
• Clear snow from your vehicle’s headlights, roof and from other places that may obstruct vision or become a danger to other motorists.
• Make sure your vehicle is in proper working conditions. Check the battery, tire tread and pressure, belts, hoses and fluid levels.
• Travel with plenty of gas in the tank.
• When shoveling snow, do not place it in the street or roadway. Plow trucks push snow to the right. When facing your driveway, pile snow to your left, off the road. The reminder will save you additional hours of shoveling.
SHA District 6 that includes Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties maintains 582 lane miles in Allegany County, 496 lane miles in Garrett County and 750 lane miles in Washington County.
The LaVale shop that serves Allegany County includes 42 SHA trucks and equipment and 49 hired trucks and equipment and has a salt dome capacity of 21,000 tons.
In Garrett County, the Keysers Ridge shop includes 40 SHA trucks and equipment and 64 hired trucks/equipment and its salt dome capacity is 26,116 tons.
The SHA strategies for winter operations consist of application of anti-icing materials prior to or at the onset of precipitation to prevent snow and ice from bonding to pavement. The SHA is expanding its anti-icing operations in an attempt to lessen overall salt usage.
The principal winter material used by the SHA is salt, rock and solar (sodium chloride) that is effective at pavement temperatures of 20 degrees Fahrenheit and above. The SHA also uses treated dalt, abrasives, calcium chloride, salt brine (liquid sodium chloride), magnesium chloride and GEOMELT 55 (desugared sugar beet molasses).
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