A Forecast of Snow Could Complicate Holiday Travel

Authorities suggest travelers plan extra time into their trips this holiday, as more Marylanders are expected to travel this year than last and snow is forecast during two of the prime travel days.

According to AAA Mid-Atlantic, more than 1.8 million residents are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2—a 4 percent increase from 2009. Automobile trips dominate the travel landscape, with 1.7 million residents driving to their destinations, up 3.7 percent from last year.

About 49,000 residents will fly this holiday, a 3.3 percent increase from 2009, while 65,000 residents will travel by rail, bus and watercraft, a 1.5 percent increase from 2009, AAA said.

But snow, forecast by the National Weather Service to begin Christmas Eve and continue into Christmas Day, could affect travel times, as well as travel modes.

In preparation for winter weather, the State Highway Administration (SHA) plans to pre-treat the interstates Wednesday with a mixture of salt brine and sugar beet molasses—an agricultural product created when sugar beets are processed to make commercial grade sugar. Once the sticky mixture is sprayed and then dries on the road it leaves a film behind, said SHA spokesman Charlie Gischlar.

"It gives us some time to get our troops mobilized when it does start to snow," he said.

SHA piloted use of the mixture last year in select counties. This winter, SHA plans to use it throughout western Maryland and in counties surrounding Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

Starting Wednesday, SHA also will suspend road closures except for emergencies.

"That's to get out of people's way and help with a smoother commute," Gischlar said.

Additional emergency response crews on busy travel days such as Wednesday, Thursday and Friday will be available, as well. Drivers are urged to pay attention to overhead travel signs on major thoroughfares like Interstate Highways 95, 695 and 83 for tips and warnings.

The Delaware Department of Transportation is warning drivers to expect major delays throughout the week at the I-95 Newark Toll Plaza. Ongoing toll plaza reconstruction, reduced toll access and altered traffic patterns could cause miles of backups, taking hours to clear. The department recommends travelers take alternate routes or use alternative modes of transportation.

Amtrak trains are one option. The rail operator recently added northeast regional weekend stops at the Newark station, benefiting people travel to and from Washington, D.C. Amtrak saw an overall increase in riders during Thanksgiving week. It set a record the Wednesday before Thanksgiving with more than 134,000 passengers—the single busiest day in the railroad's history.

At Baltimore/Washington International Marshall Airport, spokesman Jonathan Dean said to remind travelers that the airport has more than 11,000 spots available in covered garages if the snowflakes appear. The airport set passenger traffic records monthly from May to October and Dean said he expects further growth this holiday.

Officials at Ronald Reagan Washington National and Washington Dulles International Airport recommend travelers arrive at least two hours early for domestic flights and three for international flights. Combined the airports expect to see 1.2 million passengers between Dec. 17 and Dec. 27, said Courtney Prebich Mickalonis, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

If snow does arrive, Gischlar urges drivers to "take it slow on ice and snow" and "never crowd the plow."

"Don't be in such a hurry," he said. "It's the holidays."

And the number one suggestion for driving this holiday: "Don't drink and drive," Gischlar said. "You know better by now. Don't do it."

If you are traveling this holiday, authorities offer the following suggestions:

Roads

• Check tires pressures and tread depth.
• Replace wiper blades if they leave streaks or miss spots.
• Ensure battery cable connections are tight.
• Carry an emergency road kit with a blanket, flares, water, non-perishable snacks, first-aid kit, flashlight and shovel.
• Remember new laws that make handheld mobile devices illegal while driving.
• Call #77 if in need of assistance. Calls are directed to closest state police barrack.
• Have a designated driver available.
• Visit the state Department of Transportation's CHART on the Web for highway alerts before departing.

Air

• Call the airline's customer service number or visit the airline's Web site to confirm flight before departing for airport.
• Consider printing boarding pass ahead of time or asking for electronic boarding pass.
• Place identification tags on outside and inside of baggage.
• Place label on laptops as well as carrying case.
• Remember government-issued photo identification if 18 and older.