Spray on our Roads before storms? (budget, cars, rated)

[Submariner]

I don't like it.

[BoundtofindME]

I like it. Route 1 in our area is usually bone dry within hours after a storm. DH grumbles about the effect on the truck, but he's always out there spraying up underneath after a road trip. A recent trip to a mechanic in our area had the guy asking how come this '97 was in such good shape underneath.

[dubthang]

Originally Posted by forest beekeeper

I don't like it.

And you don't have too, but people expect the roads to be clear. If everybody stayed off the roads when it snowed, there would be no need to put down salt, sand, or pretreat. This is assuming that there would be no emergencies.

[shadowfax1997]

43 years in maine and I have never seen a truck running around putting down brine. I am sitting here beside myself with amazement.

[Submariner]

Originally Posted by dubthang

And you don't have too, but people expect the roads to be clear. If everybody stayed off the roads when it snowed, there would be no need to put down salt, sand, or pretreat. This is assuming that there would be no emergencies.

I know. People often want a lot of things from their government.

[dubthang]

Originally Posted by shadowfax1997

43 years in maine and I have never seen a truck running around putting down brine. I am sitting here beside myself with amazement.

It's a newer technology that has taken a foot hold here within the last five years or so. It is very popular in the mid-western states and northern to north western states.

[Coaster]

I've spoken with several MDOT engineers about this stuff, as well as a good number of body shop owners. Both groups love it. Basically the brine dries before the snow starts falling, then melts the snow into a slush that keeps packed snow from adhering to the road surface, allowing plows to clear the roads down to pavement very easily. Along the way, though, that salty slush gets splashed up underneath cars and trucks and collects behind brake lines and inside body panels. Body shop guys have told me they've seen three-year old cars with the rocker panels shot through with rust because of this stuff. It's really evil junk, and it's used because motorists insist on being able to drive 60 mph on bare pavement even in the worst weather.

Maine used sand and salt for decades and we got alng just fine. This new brine solution, though, is cheaper to use and doesn't require the spring clean-up we all see each year.

[SportFury59]

From my observation, over here in WI it seems the DOT only uses the brine mixture on bridges and overpasses and only in the late fall and now in the spring when the moisture will freeze on these surfaces. In winter I've only seen them pour on the salt.

[dubthang]

Here is the interesting part about this. People complain that brine destroys their cars, but it is really no worse than the salt/snow mix that splashes under your car. People are getting this stuff on their cars because they are driving during storms. The brine is applied to help keep roads clear for people to travel on. Maine grows annually so there are more people on the roads thus more road maintenance is needed. This stresses town and state budgets which drives them to find cheaper and better alternatives to old methods. More people drive during the winter. People complain that brine destroys their cars....

For curious people, I was at the last MDOT/Snowfighters training seminar. That is why I know so much about this.

[peachie_in_maine]

I love learning about new things that are going on around me~ in more detail.
Thanks everyone for your input.
You all have great pros and cons. ~ and now I think I do too.