MARQUETTE, MI-- Northern Michigan University grounds crews are trying a new method to keep sidewalks ice- and snow-free.
In an effort to enhance safety crews are pre-treating walkways with a solution of water and 23 percent salt. The brine solution has proven effective in thwarting the formation of ice.
Grounds Supervisor Andy Smith says the solution can be applied 12 to 48 hours in advance of a snow event, provided the pavement is relatively dry and the temperature above 15 degrees. He says if snowfall is expected overnight critical areas can be pre-treated with the brine. That buys time until employees can scrape the pavement early the next morning.
Smith says the City of Escanaba has used the brine in recent years with great success. An NMU group traveled there to get more information before adopting the method.
