County Spraying Salt Brine on Roads, Ahead of Snowfall

Weather forecasters say that the Monmouth County region could see between 4-8 inches of snow through Friday, along with freezing temperatures, blustery north winds and snow showers. 

Hazardous road conditions are a major concern for public officials. To prepare for the worst, the county's public works crews are out applying liquid salt brine and rock salt, followed by an application of salt treated with magnesium chloride, to 1,000 miles of county roads. 

The pre-treatment prevents the snow and ice from bonding to the road surface, making it easier for the plows to clear the snow. Treated rock salt does not burn the grass or other roadside vegetation nor does it corrode the trucks or the steel bridge spans, say county officials.

“Monmouth County’s snow removal program is unique because we focus on keeping the ice and snow from bonding to the road surface,” said John W. Tobia, director of the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. “You may notice that the lanes will be slushy instead of iced over. That’s the first step before the plows come by and push it all aside.” 

This is the fifth snow season the County will be serving up the salt brine cocktail with magnesium chloride-treated rock salt chaser. 

“Magnesium chloride-treated rock salt is much more effective and, therefore, there is a savings in man hours and material," said Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, liaison to the County’s Department of Public Works and Engineering. "We use 30 to 50 percent less material and require less spreading trips, depending on the snow event, for the same result.”

The County is responsible for ten highway districts throughout Monmouth County.