The County's 2,619 miles of roads have been split into 166 snow routes. Each route contains 75 to 80 roads. Roads in each route are plowed giving priority to main roads, followed by secondary streets, then dead-end streets, courts and cul-de-sacs. Since all this is preplanned and storms are tracked in advance, you do not have to call to have your road plowed or salted.
In an average snowfall of 2-4 inches, it takes 4 to 6 hours for crews to spread the first application of salt on all County roads. That first application of salt is critical to prevent the snow from bonding to the pavement.
Snows with accumulations of less than six inches should allow the crews to plow every street within 24 hours after the storm has ended.
With a storm of six inches or more, it typically takes 48 hours after the storm has ended to get through every street. During a very heavy snowfall, snowplows may need to be diverted from secondary roads repeatedly to concentrate on keeping main roads open. This can cause further delays.
If your street has not been plowed after the period of time indicated above, please call the Bureau of Highways at 410-887-3560.
Alleys and private roads do not receive County service. By law, snow removal and other maintenance functions are the responsibility of the owner(s) of the alley. Owners of new homes are advised to call their developer or property manager before snow season to determine if their road is private or has been transferred into the County roads system.
Revised November 24, 2004
Courthouse 