CUMBERLAND — State Highway Administration District 6 Engineer Tony Crawford commended citizens Monday for staying off the roads in Western Maryland throughout the snowstorm that began Friday and dumped nearly 3 feet of snow in Allegany and Garrett counties.

“A lot of people did stay off the road, especially Saturday, and that helped tremendously. A lot of motorists took the governor’s advice and stayed home,” said Crawford with a word of praise for SHA workers statewide. “I’m very, very proud of the work of the men and women of SHA. They have done an outstanding job.”

Snow accumulations for Allegany County averaged 32 inches, and 33.5 inches for Garrett County, with larger amounts recorded in some locations, according to the SHA.

State highways crews working 12-hour shifts in Allegany and Garrett did such a good job with snow removal on Interstate 68 and other state routes that some workers were deployed to Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.

However, SHA workers in the state’s westernmost counties continued cleanup operations Monday afternoon — in preparation for the next winter storm that could bring the tri-state area several more inches of snow this afternoon into Wednesday.

“We’re ready for it. We have plenty of material, salt and abrasives. Some crews are getting some rest and we are continuing to remove snow from intersections where snow is blocking sight distance and from bridge parapets. We are moving the snow back as far as we can,” said Crawford, who has worked for the SHA since 1996 and in Western Maryland since 1998.

Crawford urged residents to take the stay-at-home approach with the next snowstorm. “If you don’t have to be out, stay at home. You have a couple days to stock up for the next storm. Let our plow operators operate. It helps tremendously,” he said.