The Warren County Highway Department extensively salted roads last week in an effort to clear the way for motorists, but the low temperatures caused the salt not to work well.
According to Road Superintendent Levie Glenn, as of Thursday, they have used all the salt in stock on the roads.
Temperatures have remained below freezing for most of last week, causing the salt to not be as effective. Salt typically melts ice by dissolving into separate sodium and chloride ions that disrupt the bonds between water molecules.
As the ions loosen hydrogen bonds, the ice melts. Sodium chloride becomes much less effective when the pavement temperatures drop below 15 degrees.
“We have probably used all of what I had in stock. It was probably 150 or 175 tons and I have more salt coming in today (Thursday), but the weather has not been really cooperative with salt. It has taken a lot more salt to break the thick ice,” said Glenn.
A few Warren County residents have wondered why their roads have not been cleared as of Thursday. Many roads not considered main roads such as Bybee Branch Road and Clark Blvd. still remained covered with packed snow and ice on Thursday. Glenn explained the amount of snow we received this week is usually as much as we get in a year. The salt in stock was not enough to clear the roadways due to the low temperatures.
“The snow we got was usually the amount we would get in one year. The below-zero temperatures have made it really difficult to clear the county roads with the amount of salt we had in stock or with what we usually get by with. It has taken a lot more salt to get the hills and curves and roads. It has been a little more difficult with the cold temperatures,” said Glenn.
The snow became packed on many roadways this week. It is dangerous to drive on packed snow because it can cause the vehicle to skid, especially if the vehicle is traveling too fast or going downhill. Some snow that melted refroze due to low temperatures, causing ice on the roadway. Temperatures during the day had not gotten high enough to help more snow melt and help the salt melt the snow.
“The snow has got packed on the road and the weather has been 11 below zero and 2 degrees. It is not warming up very much during the day to make the salt we do put down work properly,” said Glenn.
Despite many roads remaining covered as of Thursday, the Warren County Highway Department has been working tirelessly to do what they can. Road crews began working Sunday night and have continued during the week.
“We have been working continuously to do what we can with what we have. The temperature plays a big role and it has not been very cooperative at all,” said Glenn. “What we have put out has not worked very well because the temperature has been so cold. It is statewide. I have spoken to other superintendents and they have had similar issues.”
Temperatures are expected to rise this week. By the end of the week, temperatures are forecasted to be in the 60s. Remain cautious while traveling on roads that have not been cleared.
