BEL AIR, Md. (WJZ) — Quite a few crashes have been reported round Maryland Thursday as a winter storm moved by the realm.
Between 4 a.m. and midday Thursday, state troopers responded to greater than 150 crashes and almost 400 requires service. In addition they responded to 93 requires disabled or unattended automobiles.
From 4am-12pm, @mdsp has responded to 158 crashes and 93 disabled/unattended automobiles and answered 397 requires service. The highway circumstances ought to nonetheless be thought-about hazardous. Proceed with warning. Observe https://t.co/jxqlSYD4wc for the most recent highway circumstances. #SnowDay2021 pic.twitter.com/YtkbSxddRJ
— MD State Police (@MDSP) February 18, 2021
A kind of crashes concerned a Montgomery County police cruiser. A county fireplace division spokesperson tweeted the unoccupied automobile was blocking the scene of a earlier crash on a ramp from the interior loop of Interstate 495 to Route 355 when one other automobile hit the cruiser and tow truck. No critical accidents have been reported.
Replace – Montgomery County PD on scene aiding @mdsp @mdsha , police cruiser ‘blocking’ defending scene as cleanup crews labored on earlier collision, pictured automobile struck MC police automobile (unoccupied) & then collided w/ parked tow truck, no critical harm, ramp now closed https://t.co/b1vSE6mw1U pic.twitter.com/HpW4RiaLc8
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) February 18, 2021
In Baltimore, the southbound left tube of the Fort McHenry Tunnel alongside Interstate 95 was briefly closed as a result of a jackknifed tractor-trailer Thursday morning. It has since reopened.
SB I-95 left tube at Ft. McHenry Tunnel briefly closed for jack-knifed T/T. Proper tube is open. #baltraffic
— MDTA (@TheMDTA) February 18, 2021
A spokesperson for town’s transportation division stated plows have been on the roads since 2 a.m. and crews are working nonstop to maintain the roads secure. In complete, round 400 automobiles are out on the highway.
Their most important focus was Interstate 83. Crews made repeat passes to deal with the freeway in addition to bridges and first residential roads citywide.
Every storm requires a special recreation plan; for this storm, the principle hurdle is salt remedy.
“With the temperatures being so chilly and it’s persevering with to rain frozen water, you recognize our rock salt is… melting speeds have gotten a little bit bit impractical with the chilly temperatures, in order that simply signifies that it’s taking a little bit bit extra for our remedy to work,” German Vigil, the transportation division’s communications director, stated.
READ MORE: TIMELINE: Light Wintry Mix Expected Overnight Around Maryland, Slick Friday Morning Commute In Store
Elsewhere within the area, a number of lanes of Interstate 95 have been closed for about an hour as a result of a crash in Harford County Thursday morning. The highway reopened round 10:20 a.m.
CLEARED: HaCo NB I-95 proper lane stays closed previous Mountain Rd. (Ex74) for crash response. #mdtraffic
— MDTA (@TheMDTA) February 18, 2021
One other crash was reported in Baltimore County at I-95 south at Sulphur Spring Highway.
UPDATE: Crash, Baltimore County, I-95 South at Sulphur Springs Highway. All lanes open. #Mdtraffic #mdotnews
— MD State Freeway Adm (@MDSHA) February 18, 2021
Officers are asking drivers to remain off the roads.
“There’s black ice,” state police spokesman Ron Snyder stated earlier Thursday. “Individuals assume that the roads could also be safer than they are surely, so we’re asking folks, look, in case you can keep residence in the present day, keep residence.”
The wintry mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain was a “combined bag” for highway crews, stated Sherry Christian with the State Freeway Administration.
“Mom Nature simply doesn’t know what she needs to throw on the state of Maryland, does she?” Christian stated.
Plow driver Brad Rivera stated as he labored, the precipitation modified from heavy snow to sleet and freezing rain.
“Ice isn’t a ‘piece of cake’. I don’t care when you have four-wheel drive. Except you have got chains on all 4 tires, you’re taking a danger,” he stated.
For the most recent highway circumstances, click here.
MORE NEWS: Crews Keeping Close Eye On Roads As Refreeze Looms Ahead Of Friday Morning Commute
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