ALBANY, NY – The City of Albany Department of General Services’ roadway crews are using a new, more effective process this winter to help make streets safer during and after snow and ice storms: salt brine.
Beginning this winter, the City of Albany has become one of the first local municipalities to use brine as the primary anti-icing process to melt snow and ice on streets. Salt brine is a solution of salt and water that sticks to the roadway and settles into the cervices, preventing snow and ice from binding to the street. Not only is brine more effective than rock salt but it will also mitigate the environmental concerns of using salt.
Learn more about how and when the Department of General Services uses brine: https://youtu.be/muPkOCczfdY
Brine can be applied up to 48 hours in advance of an anticipated snow or ice storm, so long as rain is not forecasted before the snow or ice event. City residents should expect to see large DGS trucks with spray bars applying brine prior to the start of a winter storm event.
Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan said, “I applaud Commissioner Panunzio and the Department of General Services for implementing this innovative solution to help make streets safer during and after snow and ice storms. Applying brine is not only more effective than rock salt, but it helps us strengthen our historic investments in streets, extend the life of our infrastructure, and helps protect the environment.”
Department of General Services Commissioner Sergio Panunzio said, “We are excited to introduce salt brine to the City of Albany. This process returns pavement to bare conditions faster and also provides a reduction in the quantity of deicer used, resulting in cost savings and fewer environmental impacts.”
