Here along the Front Range of the CO Rockies, many communities have switched from a sand/salt mixture (applied via rotary or drop spreader) to a "liquid salt" mixture (applied via sprayer). It has exactly the same properties as what you're describing, but also some emerging side effects. It was originally touted as being safer to the environment than sodium chloride, but now there's disputes about that as well.

Yes, it does stay "wet" below freezing, & also stays on the roads for a day or two if the storm never materializes. I've found it to be MUCH slicker to drive on in these circumstances, so be careful on it if snow doesn't fall. (If snow does fall, the roads will still be dark after they dry, but they won't be slick.) Since one of the big benefits is reduced air pollution (no more sand & gravel getting pulverized by car tires & thrown up into the air for weeks at a time), they tend to use it whenever there's a mere threat of a falling flake. Several mountain deaths last year were the result of this stuff being applied & never getting diluted because snow didn't fall when predicted.

Driving on it pre-snow is not only slippery, but it creates a slimy film on your windshield & headlights which takes several sprayings to wash off. They're also discovering that, like gravel dust, the wheel spray floats up & settles on roadside objects. The biggest threat here is to power lines. As the magnesium chloride coats the insulators they no longer insulate, resulting in arcing & fires.

It also makes nice, dark garage stains as it drips off the cars, & tracks easily into the house & onto the carpets. I washed the car last weekend, & the dripping slime stained the driveway until yesterday's snowy dusting.

posted by 216.160.177...

• What is that stuff the WA DOT sprays on the roads?, John Davies, Wed, 4 Dec 2002 20:13:45
  • I'd think it's mag chloride, same as they use here, Greg Netzner, Thu, 5 Dec 2002 11:49:42 <-- Viewing This Message
  • Could be magnesium chloride n/m, Dave Westlake, Thu, 5 Dec 2002 08:31:10
  • It's SALT!!!!!!!!!!!!!, gorper, Wed, 4 Dec 2002 23:50:23
    • No it's not salt, John Davies, Thu, 5 Dec 2002 11:09:50
      • Re: No it's not salt, gorper, Thu, 5 Dec 2002 14:53:42
        • Re: No it's not salt, John Dvies, Fri, 6 Dec 2002 11:13:14
  • I think it might be a formiate based chemical, AdamB , Wed, 4 Dec 2002 22:45:49
  • I hope they don't do that here in Oregon as I don't, KB88900T, Wed, 4 Dec 2002 22:07:43
  • Re: What is that stuff the WA DOT sprays on the roads?, compaqted, Wed, 4 Dec 2002 20:45:14
    • Urea is extremely high in Nitrogen content., AdamB , Wed, 4 Dec 2002 22:30:19
      • Do you think it really matters when. . ., Tony Basile, Thu, 5 Dec 2002 11:52:43
        • Dunno about where you live...., AdamB , Thu, 5 Dec 2002 13:31:53
          • I live in near Seattle., Tony Basile, Thu, 5 Dec 2002 14:05:27

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