BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration (MDOT SHA) this week announced that it is fully prepared for the upcoming winter season, with a comprehensive plan in place to ensure the safety of Maryland road users. The department unveiled its preparations at its annual Snow Show, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024.

State Highway Administrator Will Pines says crews prepare equipment and supplies all year for winter weather. “We have already seen the first snowfall of the year in Maryland, and we are ready for what will come our way across the rest of the state.”

The MDOT SHA has amassed a substantial stockpile of resources for the winter, including 386,000 tons of rock salt stored across 87 facilities and 1.6 million gallons of salt brine at 77 locations. The department is also equipped with over 2,300 pieces of equipment, including 23 liquid applicator spray tanks and 310 wing plows.

Cutting-Edge Technology is a key highlight of this year’s preparations, including non-invasive road sensors, mobile weather sensors, and new salt brine makers. The department utilizes 78 non-invasive road sensors to monitor snow, ice thickness, and temperature, and 105 mobile weather sensors transform maintenance vehicles into mobile data hubs. Additionally, new salt brine makers, capable of producing approximately 8,000 gallons per hour, significantly increase production capacity.

This year, the department has expanded its salt brine-only routes to 400 lane miles, reducing overall salt usage. They are also deploying hybrid rubber plow blades with ceramic inserts for more efficient snow removal.

To keep residents informed about winter road conditions, the MDOT SHA utilizes the Statewide Transportation Operations Response Map (STORM), which provides real-time updates on snow response activities and roadway conditions. Residents can access the STORM map and additional winter preparedness information on the MDOT SHA website at https://roads.maryland.gov. For real-time traffic conditions, visit https://md511.maryland.gov.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.