Mass Transit Canceled; Local Residents Wait For Sandy
BALTIMORE (WJZ/AP)-- The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has canceled all service for Monday due to severe weather conditions from Hurricane Sandy.
Ron Matz has more.
The cancellations apply to buses, light rail, Amtrak and MARC train service. That's because of winds are predicted to gust up to 100 miles per hour.
The MTA said it will make a decision about continuing service for Tuesday late Monday and about canceling commuter bus service on Sunday evening.
Travelers using MTA transit can click here for the latest.
The MTA Mobility/Paratransit Program used by residents who cannot use the bus, Metro or light rail service will close after 3 p.m. on Monday. For more information, click here.
The State Highway Administration (SHA) warns drivers of hazardous conditions on Maryland roads, particularly in the Eastern Shore.
Eastbound US 50 remains closed entering Ocean City. Heavy rain bands are continuing to move across the region.
More than 640 SHA crews are active across Maryland with an additional 1,500 SHA operations personnel prepared to respond to high water, downed trees and traffic signal issues. In addition, a blizzard warning has been issued in Garrett County in far western Maryland Monday night into Tuesday.
"Remember, a new law enacted Oct. 1 mandates drivers must treat intersections with non-functioning traffic signals as four-way stops. Do not assume you or the other driver has the right-of-way; make eye contact if possible and proceed safely through the intersection," said State Highway Administrator Melinda B. Peters.
Peters said drivers can expect downed trees and high water on the roads.
Click here for more informtion from SHA.
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) has been delaying and canceling flights in the wake of the super storm. Travelers can check with their individual airlines on rescheduling their plans. For a list of contact numbers for various airlines, click here.
Express bus company Megabus has also canceled service to more than 20 cities from Sunday to Tuesday due to the hurricane. The company said that it would send an e-mail to customers who are booked on canceled routes.
The Washington D.C. - Baltimore - Philadelphia - Secaucus - Boston buses from Sunday 5 p.m. to Tuesday 1:15 a.m., and the Washington D.C. - Richmond - Hampton buses have been canceled, among others. For more detailed information on other cancellations, go to the Megabus website.
Customers booked between Sunday and Tuesday for other routes may reschedule their travel.
Click here for more information from MEMA (Maryland Emergency Management Agency) .
Meanwhile, residents all over Maryland wait for Sandy's impact.
Baltimore is opening six shelters throughout the city for people who need to take refuge during Hurricane Sandy.
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake says Baltimore Housing will open the shelters starting at 9 a.m. Monday.
City residents are being encouraged to shelter-in-place during the storm, but officials say that those who need the shelters should come and bring medications and other supplies.
The shelters are located at Forest Park, Patterson and Edmondson high schools, as well as Oliver Community Center, Baltimore Junior Academy and the War Memorial Building at Lexington and Gay streets.
Getting around the city will take some planning, though. The Charm City Circulator will be suspended throughout the storm, and several intersections of the city are also closed due to expected flooding.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
