What is the DPW spraying on the roads today?

What is the DPW spraying on the roads today?

We are anti-icing with a magnesium chloride solution. This mag chloride uses molasses as a carrying vehicle. The principal behind anti-icing is to ensure there is no bond between the roads and the ice. In anti-icing, the crews lay the solution to the roads before snow falls and ice forms in the roadway. This also melts the snow or ice from underneath.

The advantage of molasses/mag chloride is that it is found to be less corrosive than salt. In fact, according to the Pacific Snow fighters (the corrosion scale authority), mag chloride has a corrosive factor of 11.9. Whereas salt rates at 100 and distilled water at a 0. Reducing the amount of corrosive agent in the treatment will have additional cost savings for the department, with less repairs to the vehicle fleet, better resale condition and possibly a life extension.

One lingering concern with using a molasses-based treatment could be the attraction of deer to the roads. I have studied this issue for multiple years and have found no increase in deer strikes.

The pre-treated roads will show brown residue. This residue is the mag chloride and molasses mixture. It will not harm your vehicle. In fact, it should help to protect it from salt, salt brine, and calcium chlorides used extensively in keeping winter roads clear. One final note, according to the Conservation Commission, the mag chloride is the best possible product to use around water ways.

Please contact me at Highway@enfield.nh.us with any questions.

Thank you and stay safe.

Enfield DPW