The high amounts of sand and salt used to keep the roads clear last winter followed city councils split 7-6 decision to no longer use a calcium chloride anti-icing brine after three years. But 101,414 litres of the brine was still used on city sidewalks and protected bike lanes as well as to pre-wet sand and salt mixes. This compares to more than 617,000 litres the year before and more than four million litres applied during the 2017-18 winter.

City spokesman Zak Fairbrother said there are currently no plans to recommend any adjustments to the products used and the city plans to move forward this year without the anti-icing brine on roads.

At this time, we remain focused on the tools that we currently have in our winter maintenance toolbox, including sand and salt, and how they can contribute to enhancing snow and ice control in Edmonton, he said in an email to Postmedia.

The calcium chloride anti-icing brine with a corrosion inhibitor was contentious amongst residents, with many arguing it caused significant damage to their vehicles and driveways.

But city studies on last winters program found no considerable change in the impact to concrete, asphalt or metal with significantly less calcium chloride being used. In fact, concrete was found to be more prone to freeze-thaw damage from salt than the calcium chloride brine. Steel and aluminum also corroded more in the 2019-20 winter study, but the city said the difference cant be directly linked to the reduction in calcium chloride brine.

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'We are going to pay:' Edmonton councillor sounds the alarm on increased salt usage to clear winter streets - Edmonton Journal

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October 10, 2020 at 9:42 am by Mr HomeBuilder
Category: Driveway Paving