There’ll be salt brine on Kitsap County roads this winter
October 7th, 2008 by travis bakerThe in basket: John Quatermass of Gig Harbor says he’s heard Kitsap County plans to introduce a salt product to its battle with roadway ice and snow this winter. He wonders if it’s true.
The out basket: Yes, says Doug Bear of Kitsap County Public Works. He will be announcing the change in a day or two, with a question-and-answer format that addresses the most common question motorists have about salt – how much car damage will it cause.
The product to be used isn’t granular salt, but a brine solution that will be sprayed on the roads and contain 23.3 percent sodium chloride. The upcoming new release calls it “the safest and most cost-effective anti-icing product available.”
Many people “have stories about how chemicals affected their cars when they lived back east,” it says, seeking to allay fears created by that experience.
This area’s snow and ice storms are relatively mild and brief, the news release says, and are usually followed by rain that washes corrosive anti-icers off the roadway. Further, it says, modern cars are much less vulnerable to corrosion due largely to what they are made of. Still, washing the underside of your car intermittently during the winter is a good idea, it says.
The state has used a different chemical it sprays on trouble areas before ice is expected to form, inhibiting its formation. It accounts for the parallel dark lines you see on freeway ramps, bridges and curves during cold weather. Duke Stryker, head of the state maintenance department here, said the state uses some salt brine, but none here yet.
The county news release says alternatives to the salt brine cost two to three times more and cites a state transportation department study that found little difference in the corrosive properties of the brine compared to other ice-inhibiting products.
It cited another state study that said environmental impacts, as measured on Highway 97 at Peshastin Creek in eastern Washington, were insignificant.
The entire news release will be on the public works Web site, www.kitsapgov.com/pw/ by the end of the week, Doug says.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
October 8th, 2008 at 11:45 am
Obviously Mr. Bear drives an old \beater\ and could care less about the effect of sodium chloride on the exposed ferous metal components which make up the majority of the undercarriage of his vehicle. I actually care about my vehicle and no matter how many ways he tries to spin it, a 23.3 percent solution of sodium chloride is corrosive and will cause damage!
October 9th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I care about my car too – that it starts when it is supposed to start and do its job – get me where I need to be as safely and inexpensively as possible.
It is not a ‘beater’…but I prefer a little possible corrosion than the possible injury to human life and safety on our roads.
How pretty are the cars smashed in auto wreaks due to a icy and slippery road and the driver maimed or dead?
Bring on the salt brine…
“… news release says alternatives to the salt brine cost two to three times more and cites a state transportation department study that found little difference in the corrosive properties of the brine compared to other ice-inhibiting products.
It cited another state study that said environmental impacts, as measured on Highway 97 at Peshastin Creek in eastern Washington, were insignificant….”
Sharon O’Hara
October 9th, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Any report on what the salt solution will do to the motorcycles and or bicycles that ride year around? My husband rides rain, shine and sometimes ice and snow. It doesn’t sound like the motor, shocks, and frame would fare well.
October 10th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Sassy…Seems to me the motorcycles and bicycles are easily hosed down to remove any residue….but the motorcycle shops should be able to answer the question. It might be hard to get all the motorcycle parts washed down…
October 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
Without the exact chemical name, compound, or make-up, it is nearly impossible to just speculate. More information is needed.
Another thought- If the corrosive chemical gets quickly washed off the roads by a rainfall, won’t it be headed for our salmon streams and the Puget Sound? I read the brine is bad on landscaping and plants, and flooring as well.
Also, Sharon, my husband mentioned that washing his bike at 12am when he arrived home would result in freezing problems, both for him, and the bike
October 11th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Just curious Sharon, is there any subject that you are not expect on?
October 13th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Just curious, A. Hansen… is there any subject you will give an opinion on or do you save your comments to jab at the posters who do comment?
Tell me… where have I said I was an ‘expert’?
Should only ‘experts’ comment?
Speak up – don’t just question the posters right to post.
Or am I the only lucky one?
Do you keep your opinions to yourself and only criticize those who do comment?
Or perhaps you don’t have thoughts other than to comment on the poster posting…?..
Would you prefer I didn’t make comments?
Sharon O’Hara
October 14th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
Sharon, just fun to watch you go on a rant when others throw a “jab” at you. Kind of like “fish-on”…..
October 15th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
I hope you are not related to the ‘Hansen’ family ‘ I’ve known forever and love…
A. Hansen – whoever you are, make contributions here, don’t worry about me being ‘fished in’….my perception is a little different.
If you’re related to the family I know, you would likely have good information and comments worth reading – a good contributing blogger to help educate the rest of us.
Sharon O’Hara