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Maryland Officials Say Holiday Travelers Should Expect Delays

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- With the holiday travel rush, security is ramped up nationwide and right here in Maryland.

Rick Ritter has more on those traveling despite the terror concerns.

More than 40 million people are expected to travel this holiday season. One million of them are from Maryland.

Nearly two weeks after the attacks in Paris, many are timid but making the best of it.

Bomb-sniffing dogs and heavily armed officers aren't the Thanksgiving many had in mind.

"I'm just going to pray that it's all going to be okay," said Felicia Messina.

Those fears are common among travelers nationwide.

At Penn Station, there's enhanced security. Nearly 22,000 Marylanders will take the train or bus this holiday.

"We're all hands on deck today to get people where they need to go," said Amtrak spokesperson Chelsea Kopta.

Not letting terror concerns ruin their family plans.

"The whole idea of terrorism is them keeping you from doing what you want to do and I'm not going to let them do that," said Randy Mccomas.

With gas prices so low, 90% of people are expected to travel by car for Thanksgiving. The state stopped road construction to help traffic.

President Barack Obama reassured anxious Americans.

"Right now, we know of no specific creditable intelligence of a plot on the homeland," he said.

Close to 75,000 people in Maryland are expected to fly through Monday. With heightened security due to the attacks in Paris, officials are urging travelers to be patient. TSA agents are taking more time to search bags.

Despite the extra safety, some are still altering their plans at the last second.

"We're just going to take him to Legoland in Orlando as opposed to potential terrorist threats in New York," said Romance Thomas.

But hoping for a routine holiday.

"With the heightened security, I doubt we'll have anything. I hope," said Edward Overheiser.

Officials are reminding those traveling if you have to drive, expect delays but it's best to go before 6 a.m. or after 11 p.m.

State officials expect more than 2.5 million cars to go through Maryland tolls over the next few days.

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