Kitsap County dulled the potential impact of this weekend’s snowstorm to test the use of salt brine on the roads.
“We have found this is very effective,” said Public Works Spokesman Doug Bear about the new procedure. “It works especially well if we can get it on the dry roads in front of the snow, in anticipation of a major snow event.”
Such an event was forecast for last night.
To prepare, road crews were spreading salt brine on several roads as early as Monday.
While sand will still be used in certain circumstances, the salt brine/water compound will become the default treatment.
Mixed with water, the compound is sprayed on the road by a county truck, usually recognizable by a label as a “deicing operation” and a warning to keep back at least 200 feet.
As a chemical, it lowers the freezing point of water, allowing lower temperatures before ice forms on roads. As a preventive, it will be applied to hill’s, bridges, major arterials and lifeline routes.
Chemical compounds don’t guarantee ice-free roadways, but are “a tool we can use to keep roads safer,” according to a county publication.
Bear could not provide any figures about the relative cost of salt brine in comparison to other road treatment methods, however he said “it is an economical solution and will make it so we will need to use a whole lot less sand.”
Sand, the most popular road treatment, is less than ideal for several reasons.
It clogs drains and streams, and can affect the wildlife.
Application and removal is also an expensive process.
Even without specifics, salt brine is one third the price of other chemical treatments, such as chlorine. It is not especially corrosive nor does it damage the environment, according to the county.
During winter snow and ice events, the county uses the priorities established in our snow and ice control policy which prioritizes operations by designating roads as primary or secondary.
Roads not designated as either primary or secondary are local access or residential streets, and are the third priority for snow and ice control.
For a map, schedule and an explanation of the ice control policy go to www.kitsapgov.com/pw/snowplow.htm.
