Salting the roads (Seattle, Sammamish, Issaquah: home, taxis, compensation)

[AADAD]

So most of ya know this is our 1st Winter season here and I was surprised when I saw salt on the roads doing the cold snap in Seattle. I mean I know "why" they do it but why salt? In a "green" city" ? Cheaper?

Does just wonders with the undercarriages of cars.

[Diana Holbrook]

Is salt worse for the environment than the de-icer chemical they use down here in Thurston county? I really don't know.

Not sure I see the harm in salt, Seattle is surrounded by salt water after all. It can be hard on cars, I've seen that in other parts of the country, but not here. We don't see rusted out cars all over around here. Maybe because here the salt doesn't sit on the car all winter. By next week, it will be washed away by rain. Our dry cold snaps are temporary.

We need something on all the hills around here when it does freeze. Both our biggest W WA cities are built on steep hills. Going without would bring the city to a halt, at the bottom of the hill.

[pikabike]

Better ordinary rock salt than mag chloride suspension, which STICKS to your car. Regular salt washes away more easily.

[Hemlock140]

Here in Sammamish and Issaquah they use a liquid de-iced, in fact every day last week you could see the stripes from it on the roads here just for the freezing fog and heavy frost. I work in Seattle and don’t remember seeing salt (or any ice) there yet this year. One year during a nasty storm the City of Seattle and mayor were heavily criticized for the gridlock and abandoned cars due to their failure to use salt, so now they will, since it’s more effective. Regardless of the Ill-effects on cars and the environment, there is minimal frequency of days needing it so it’s not a big deal. If you drive on a slated road, just was it well (underside too) at the local coin-op car wash when the roads have melted.

[xPlorer48]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Here in Sammamish and Issaquah they use a liquid de-iced, in fact every day last week you could see the stripes from it on the roads here just for the freezing fog and heavy frost. I work in Seattle and don’t remember seeing salt (or any ice) there yet this year. One year during a nasty storm the City of Seattle and mayor were heavily criticized for the gridlock and abandoned cars due to their failure to use salt, so now they will, since it’s more effective. Regardless of the Ill-effects on cars and the environment, there is minimal frequency of days needing it so it’s not a big deal. If you drive on a slated road, just was it well (underside too) at the local coin-op car wash when the roads have melted.

I remember that year. Our daughter was returning home via Greyhound. The bus left the Seattle station only to return due to icy roads and abandoned vehicles. She and other passengers were stranded. No taxis, no buses, in the dark with icy sidewalks. I called my sister who worked in downtown area not too far away who met her at the door. She was stranded, also and was unable to return home to West Seattle. They both slept on the couches.

The next day, our daughter took Amtrak home. And, she has never taken Greyhound, again. No compensation, no apology, no nothing. I was so afraid for her walking in downtown Seattle in a sketchy area at night. Thankfully, my sister was able to help. Seattle just falls apart during ice and snow storms.

[AADAD]

THANKS for the history.

[USDefault]

Originally Posted by AADAD

Does just wonders with the undercarriages of cars.

It won't matter. It snows so very rarely PNW west side. Salting the roads once or twice a year will have no impact on your auto.