URGENT UPDATE: The town of Bolton, Vermont, is taking decisive action amid a severe road salt shortage impacting the Northeast. As communities face dwindling supplies, Bolton has switched to magnesium chloride for winter road maintenance, a move that promises to enhance safety and efficiency.
With the winter season in full swing, Vermont’s roads are battling snow, slush, and ice, leading many localities to ration road salt. However, Bolton has proactively adapted by equipping their plow with innovative canisters of liquid magnesium chloride. This change was implemented last fall, before the winter weather set in.
Magnesium chloride, derived from seawater or brine, is recognized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a less corrosive and more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional rock salt. Cody Quenneville, a member of the Bolton road crew, detailed the new system: “That’s the tank that we got installed that pre-treats the salt at the spinner. It pumps it from there… and applies the liquid at a very, very low rate.”
While magnesium chloride can be significantly more expensive—at least twice the cost of rock salt—officials are confident the investment is worthwhile. Road Commissioner Putnam reported that the town’s salt budget has been cut in half. Last winter, Bolton utilized 1,200 tons of salt, but this season, they are on track to use just 577 tons, and that’s even with the season winding down.
The advantages of magnesium chloride extend beyond cost savings. It generates heat that enhances the effectiveness of salt, allowing Bolton’s crew to manage the roads with fewer resources. “If we weren’t using magnesium chloride, we wouldn’t be able to keep up with just two guys,” Putnam noted. Quenneville echoed this sentiment, stating the new approach has reduced stress on drivers and improved overall road safety.
Residents have also observed the positive impact. Though they may not see the plow trucks as frequently, feedback indicates the roads are in better condition than in previous winters. “A lot more thumbs up from people,” Quenneville remarked about the community’s response to the changes.
Despite initial challenges in transitioning to this new system, the Bolton road crew encourages other towns to consider adopting similar methods. The Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans) typically uses regular salt, but they acknowledge the benefits of magnesium chloride in extremely cold conditions.
As the Northeast grapples with ongoing supply chain issues affecting road maintenance, Bolton’s shift to magnesium chloride could serve as a model for effective winter road management. The town’s proactive measures not only address immediate challenges but also pave the way for a more sustainable approach to winter weather preparedness.
Residents and officials alike are optimistic that this innovative strategy will lead to safer roads and more efficient resource management in the seasons to come. Stay tuned for more updates as this developing story unfolds.
