Maryland Prepares Roads for Snow

Maryland State Highway Administration got an early start treating the roads Friday.

Crews were out in full force trying to get a head start before any precipitation arrived.

Truck after truck loaded up with salt as winter weather was on the way.

Two honks meant the truck was full and ready to go, but before the trucks would take action, other trucks prepared the roads by spraying a liquid.

Wayne Weichmann at Maryland State Highway Administration said, "It's a mixture of water and salt and what we do, it's liquid , we spray it out and as the water evaporates it leaves a film of salt on the roadway."

All of the drivers had specific routes to cover. Some salt brine trucks focused on the highway.

Driver Lyonell Purnell Sr. said, "We are going to be pre-treating all of the concrete roads, so before the storm even comes we're going to pre-treat it so it won't freeze up so fast."

Once the trucks sprayed the roads, the salt trucks prepared for their departure and the plows are the last to head out.

Crew members said they were ready for action.

"We'll be ready on call, matter of fact, there is work before we even get here, so there will be a safety thing for us," added Purnell.

The public can make the road crews' jobs easier by staying off the roads once the winter weather arrives, so crews have more room to work.

Snatched; WBOC.COM