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Hwy_506_De-icing_Pilot_project

Feature Article January 22

Feature Article January 22, 2003

LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb Home

Road 506 de-icing pilot project still in the offingby Will cybulskiFor those who regularly travel, or reside alongside North Frontenac Road 506, the brine pilot project that was approved by council earlier this winter for de-icing the highway still promises to be a reality it will just be a little later taking effect.

In a previous article based upon a presentation to council at its November 12 meeting, it was reported that an on board liquid pre-wetting system would be used this winter as part of the highways winter maintenance. The set-up would deliver salt-based brine from a side tank, as opposed to the normal rotary application of dry salt.

The projected date for the latest technique, which is to be applied to the roadway from the municipal building southwest of Plevna to Highway 41, is now slated for about mid-February, according to staff at the municipal office.

Information was received that the company which provides the equipment is in a backlog situation, with a large number of customers opting for the system. Specifications for the retrofit of an existing municipal sanding unit also had to be modified somewhat, with metal components being replaced by rubber to eliminate the effects of corrosion. Those changes will up the ante slightly, from a quoted price of $16,000 to $18,000.

When the project was approved back in November, council was informed that the township is environmentally friendly in using less road salt than average, but that is traded off for a higher amount of sand, which gets blown off before becoming effective. Dry salt is temperature-sensitive as well, and existing methods of maintenance were seen as exacting a comparatively greater time toll on equipment and Public Works Department staff.

When the latest technique does fall into place, its costs will be covered by the Highways 506/509 fund.

With the participation of the Government of Canada