One of the relatively new weapons being used in the snow and ice control field involves the treatment of roads with anti-icing products in advance of snow storms. The Highway Department will be implementing some of these measures this year.

Anti-icing refers to a collection of strategies and techniques used to prevent snow from bonding to the road surface. Salt and salt treated with liquid calcium chloride is applied to the road surface in advance of the storm. The salt lowers the freezing temperature of water and prevents ice from bonding to the road. De-icing, in contrast, refers to snow and ice removal after bonding has occurred.

Anti-icing creates a brine on the road surface that acts as a barrier between falling snow and the pavement. Snow may accumulate on the road surface, but because of the barrier, the snow won’t bond to it.

The key to anti-icing is the application of salt. Timing is everything; if the salt is applied to the road too soon, the resulting brine may freeze as the falling snow dilutes it. If it is applied too late after the storm begins, snow will have already bonded to the road surface.

Treated salt will form a brine faster than standard rock salt. It also bounces less than standard rock salt, so more material stays on the roadway and less in the gutter. Snowplow crews can more easily keep the road clear because they are working with snow that has not bonded to the pavement.

Anti-icing has many advantages:

• Town crews can respond to storms proactively by beginning treatment in advance of the storm.

• Anti-icing enables a quicker return to improved road conditions resulting in fewer accidents and delays.

• Treated salt doesn’t bounce off the roadway so material is more effectively used.

• If the storm is delayed, some residual salt remains on the road ready to begin work when precipitation begins.

• Crews can efficiently cover more territory because a truckload of salt will last longer than a traditional truckload of sand/salt mix.

Reduction of Sand Use

In Connecticut, snow storms have traditionally been fought by applying a mixture of sand and salt.

Salt melts snow and ice. Sand does not.

Sand can increase friction, thereby providing better traction and control of vehicles. For sand to actually improve traction, however, it must remain between the tire and the ice. It does no good when it is buried in snow. Vehicle traffic will work sand into fresh snow and render it useless to improve traction. Research on friction on pavements treated with sand shows that there is little benefit when traffic is present. When is the most effective time to use sand? During very low temperatures (below 5ºF) where salt is ineffective or during freezing rain conditions. The Town will no longer be using sand during the majority of its snow removal operations. The Town will continue to have sand available for use when conditions specifically warrant its use.

Benefits of Reducing Sand Use:

• Elimination of sand from entering our streams and waterways.

• Reduction in Spring clean up time both for property owners and the Town.

• Reduction in air pollution from blowing sand particulates.

• Buildings and homes are cleaner because less sand and mud is tracked in from streets and municipal parking lots.

• Reduction in windshield damage and chipped paint.

What changes will the public see?

• There will be some storms where the Town snow plow drivers will be applying material to the roads before or just as a storm is starting.

• The streets and edges of the road will not be brown with sand after a snow storm has ended.

• The use of salt on a per storm basis will not exceed what has been used in prior years.

We thank you for your cooperation as we move forward with our anti-icing program.

For more complete details on Tolland’s Snow & Ice Control Plan, you may click here to download the Snow & Ice Control Plan document in its entirety.

~ Click here for Town of Tolland Winter Information:
A Guide to Snow Plowing, Parking, and Much More ~

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