CITY BEGINS PRE-WETTING PILOT FOR ENHANCED VEHICLE TRACTION

City of Saskatoon road crews are now using a pre-wetting delivery technique to apply sand on high traffic streets to improve vehicle traction in icy conditions.

"This is the second anti-icing pilot program we are implementing this year as we identify the best mix of products for our broad range of winter driving conditions. It involves modifying our equipment to spray a liquid chemical de-icer onto the sand before it is placed onto the street," says Pat Hyde, Director of Public Works. "The wet heavy sand adheres better to the road and provides enhanced traction for vehicles."

This program is expected to be more effective in extreme temperatures as low as -65C, where salt is ineffective and dry sand would otherwise bounce off or be blown off the roadway by passing vehicles.

“We started using the new equipment this week on Circle Drive and bridge decks ahead of the forecasted cold snap,” says Hyde. “We will be monitoring the effectiveness and expect drivers will notice the results.”

Through December and January, the first pilot program we have been testing is the sand/salt and magnesium chloride blended mixture.  Salt on its own is only effective to a temperature of approximately -16C.  When temperatures have dipped below that, the sand/salt blended with the magnesium chloride mixture has been effective. 

Today, priority streets are in good winter driving condition with City crews continuing to work around the clock monitoring roadway conditions and utilizing the new processes for salting and sanding roads as required.

Winter Progress

• Approximately 4,000 tandem truckloads of snow have been hauled away from priority streets so far this winter, including centre median and parking lane windrows on many Priority 2 and 3 streets.
• So far this winter, 30 tons of cold mix asphalt has been used to temporarily repair potholes.
• Crews are also maintaining more than 500 utility cuts until they can be permanently repaired with hot asphalt this spring.

For the safety of operators and other drivers, priority street snow removal occurs throughout the evening when there are fewer vehicles on the road. The large machines used are equipped with flashing amber lights, move slowly in teams of two or more and can be found on the road at any time.  Drivers are advised to keep a safe distance from the equipment (15 metres), slow down when approaching, and pass only when safe, using extreme caution.

Crews continue to monitor residential streets and investigate reports of hazardous locations.  Residents are encouraged to report potholes and impassable or hazardous streets by calling Public Works Customer Service at 306-975-2476.

We’re Plowing Ahead and ready for whatever winter brings! Go to Saskatoon.ca and click on Better Winter Roads to learn more.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.