MD SHA keeps working through heat wave

No matter the heat the Maryland State Highway Administration has deadlines to meet, that's why their crews were out in Salisbury Wednesday working through the heat.

Temperatures with the heat index reached near 100 degrees, but as Bob Rager with SHA explained their crews were working to meet a tight deadline on the Rt. 13 bypass.

"We do have to work," Rager said. "I think like everybody we encourage people to drink a lot less caffeine a lot fewer sugary drinks and a lot more water."

Rager explains they encourage their workers to look after one another.

"At state highway we encourage our maintenance crews and our contractors to always work on the buddy system, work in pairs to make sure you keep an eye out on each other out there," Rager said.

Of course with the heat hydration is key throughout the day.

"Drinking lots of water is really important. Staying away from sugary drinks and just keeping you body fully hydrated even drinking when you don't really feel like drinking water," Rager said.

As Rager explains though the heat doesn't just make things hotter for workers it also means concrete can't be poured until it cools down.
 
"This time of year, large concrete pours like this we cannot do during the day its too hot concrete is a curative material if it cures to fast in the heat it will crack and we certainly don't want that," Rager said.