The winter night patrol of the Maine Department of Transportation began its annual task of keeping a winter watch on Maine’s highways this past weekend.

The patrols, which are entering their 48th season, cover the majority of the 3,400 miles of highways plowed by the state, including nearly 240 miles of interstate highway. They also alert snow and ice control crews when a storm moves into their patrol areas. The checks occur every night during the winter. They also check on stranded motorists, MDOT buildings and road conditions in their coverage area.

MDOT provides recorded messages regarding road conditions around the state throughout the winter and is available to motorists at 287-3427 for 24 hours a day, seven days a week.