“Salt brine, usually a combination of sodium chloride and mostly water, is used every winter thought the United States and Canada to treat roadways and save lives,” said Lori Roman, President of the Salt Institute. “Americans expect clear roads to get to work, to get kids to school and for everyday travel, commerce and emergencies.”
About 17 million tons of deicing salt is applied to roadways in the U.S. each year according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Pre-wetting roads with salt brine before an expected snow storm or freeze is far more efficient because the brine sticks to the road. The moisture also causes salt to work more effectively at preventing ice from forming in the first place.
The use of salt brine allows for states and localities to keep roads clear while using less salt, resulting in significant financial savings as well as protecting the environment. Since the late ’90s brine anti-icing strategy has become one of the most popular winter road maintenance strategies across North America.
Every winter, more than 116,000 Americans are injured and over 1,300 killed as a result of pavement that is covered in snow, slush or ice, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. However, studies of highways in Snow Belt states and in Canada by Marquette University have shown that road salt reduces crashes by 88 to 93 percent.
There is also a significant economic cost to snow and ice. A one-day major snowstorm can cost a state $300-$700 million in direct and indirect costs, lost commerce and productivity According to the American Highway Users Alliance.
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