SHA Pretreating Roads In Areas West Of Baltimore Ahead Of Another Wintry Mix

BALTIMORE (WJZ)—State highway crews are heading out Monday night to pre-treat roads in Western Maryland.

Monique Griego has more on the preparations.

While we aren't expecting major snow in the Baltimore area, that can actually create more problems for crews.

Even though the start of winter is still days away, state highway trucks have been hitting the road clearing major roadways of all types of inclement weather.

"Each year is different. We're always ready," said Valerie Burnette-Edgar, State Highway Administration spokesperson.

Burnette-Edgar says this year winter weather struck earlier than last year.

So far, salt is the main tool crews are using to fight it.

"Smaller amounts of accumulation require more salt," Burnette-Edgar said.

Now just a few weeks into this season, they've already used almost a third of that amount. Since Nov. 1, 66 tons of salt have been used.

In preparation for another storm, trucks are going out again Monday night, pretreating areas west of Baltimore.

When it comes to the toughest problems out on the roads and highways, snow can actually be a welcome sight.

"It's that icy, sleet, freezing rain kind of mix that's the most treacherous to drive in and the most difficult to deal with," Burnette-Edgar said.

Last year, Western Maryland kept the plows busy with more than 150 inches of snow. Baltimore's metro area saw hardly any accumulation. While this year we've had some, drivers are again expected to deal with a lot of sleet and ice.

"The best thing for folks to do for us is to stay off the road while operations are happening, and it's a lot safer situation if you wait until after the storm to go out," Burnette-Edgar said.

Here in the Baltimore area, road crews are loaded up and ready to go in case the weather and roads take a turn for the worse.

Even though many consider last winter mild, SHA crews were still deployed for 24 winter emergencies.

If you would like to check on the roads from home, click hereto view the SHA cameras.

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