Christina514
12-01-2006, 08:34 AM
Calhoun County, Mich:
If you're not slipping and sliding on the M-66 S-curves entering downtown Battle Creek today, you might lift a glass of Kentucky bourbon to the snowplow guys later.
Why Kentucky bourbon?
Calhoun County Road Commission crews planned to spray a deicing fluid that's a mixture of brewer's distillate — straight from the bourbon-brewing process — and magnesium chloride on the road this morning.
Dennis Randolph, road commission managing director, said the urine-colored fluid, sprayed on bare pavement before the snow begins, reduces the need for salt later.
And that's a good thing, he said, because the price of salt rose this year to $58 per ton from $32 per ton.
"In a storm like this, where we may get 5-6 inches of snow, we'll put down 1,500 tons of salt," Randolph said. "That's $75,000. I can pave two miles of road for $75,000."
Still, Randolph said, the county has elected not to cut back on salting or plowing activity this winter, as has been discussed in other counties.
He said there was a sense of anticipation at the road commission garage on Thursday, as crews made final preparations for the first big storm.
If you're not slipping and sliding on the M-66 S-curves entering downtown Battle Creek today, you might lift a glass of Kentucky bourbon to the snowplow guys later.
Why Kentucky bourbon?
Calhoun County Road Commission crews planned to spray a deicing fluid that's a mixture of brewer's distillate — straight from the bourbon-brewing process — and magnesium chloride on the road this morning.
Dennis Randolph, road commission managing director, said the urine-colored fluid, sprayed on bare pavement before the snow begins, reduces the need for salt later.
And that's a good thing, he said, because the price of salt rose this year to $58 per ton from $32 per ton.
"In a storm like this, where we may get 5-6 inches of snow, we'll put down 1,500 tons of salt," Randolph said. "That's $75,000. I can pave two miles of road for $75,000."
Still, Randolph said, the county has elected not to cut back on salting or plowing activity this winter, as has been discussed in other counties.
He said there was a sense of anticipation at the road commission garage on Thursday, as crews made final preparations for the first big storm.