Posted on 11/16/25
| News Source: FOX45
Baltimore, MD - Nov. 15, 2025 - As winter approaches, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is taking proactive measures to ensure road safety.
Charlie Gishler from the State Highway Administration explained the agency's efforts to maintain state-numbered non-toll highways, including major routes like Maryland 45, Maryland 139, and interstates such as I-695 and I-83.
"Our role is to make sure we continue to make sure the pavement is safe and passable," Gishler said, emphasizing the importance of keeping roads clear for first responders and essential travelers.
Before a storm, the administration collaborates with a contractor meteorologist to track weather patterns.
"We have a pre-storm meeting with all the decision makers, all the maintenance folks, everybody involved in the storm itself," Gishler said. This coordination allows for strategic deployment of crews based on weather forecasts.
For snowstorms, a salt brine solution is applied to roads, creating a slushy surface that is easier to clear.
However, Gishler noted that the salt brine is only effective down to about 20 degrees.
In colder conditions, liquid magnesium may be used to lower the freezing point.
The administration is also utilizing new technology, including roadside sensors, to monitor road conditions.
"We have roadside sensors all across the state on the roads that we maintain that are infrared on our weather stations," Gishler said.
These sensors provide data on relative humidity, dew point, and possible freezing points, helping to identify areas at risk of freezing.
Gishler advised residents to avoid travel during storms if possible.
Number one, don't go out if you don't have to during a storm," he said. For those who must travel, he recommended ensuring vehicles are road-ready and maintaining a safe distance from snowplows. "Take it slow on ice and snow," Gishler advised, reminding drivers that snowplows are "your frontline warriors" in keeping roads clear.