URGENT UPDATE: As winter weather wreaks havoc across the Northeast, the town of Bolton, Vermont, has swiftly adapted to a critical road salt shortage by embracing an innovative solution: magnesium chloride. With communities struggling to maintain safe road conditions, Bolton’s decisive move is making headlines and transforming winter road maintenance.
Just before the first snowfalls of the season, Bolton officials made the proactive choice to equip their plows with canisters of liquid magnesium chloride and a state-of-the-art blade designed to navigate the region’s challenging roadways. This shift comes amid a significant supply chain disruption affecting many Vermont towns, forcing them to ration traditional rock salt.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), magnesium chloride—derived from seawater or brine—is less corrosive and more environmentally friendly compared to conventional rock salt. This makes it not only a safer alternative but also a strategic choice for the future of road safety.
Cody Quenneville, a member of Bolton’s road crew, highlighted the new system’s efficiency: “That’s the tank that we got installed that pre-treats the salt… it applies the liquid at a very, very low rate.” This approach allows the magnesium chloride to enhance the performance of the rock salt, which is still utilized but in reduced quantities.
While the liquid magnesium chloride may initially cost around twice as much as rock salt, the long-term benefits are substantial. Road operations manager Putnam reported, “Our salt budget roughly is cut in half. Last year they used 1,200 tons of salt, and now we’re at 577 tons—and we’re at the downside of the season.”
The magnesium chloride not only releases heat to help the salt work more effectively in colder temperatures but also significantly reduces the labor demands on the crew. “If we weren’t using magnesium chloride, we wouldn’t be able to keep up with just two guys,” Putnam added.
Residents are already appreciating the results. “They don’t see the truck as much, but the roads are in better shape,” Putnam noted, reflecting the positive community response. Quenneville echoed this sentiment, stating, “A lot more thumbs up from people,” signaling a growing approval for this innovative approach.
As the winter progresses, the Bolton road crew believes this shift could set a precedent for other towns facing similar challenges. VTrans officials noted that while traditional salt is still the standard, magnesium chloride is increasingly used in extremely cold conditions, highlighting its effectiveness.
This transformative approach in Bolton not only addresses immediate road safety concerns but also sets a potential roadmap for sustainable winter road management across the region. As other communities grapple with supply challenges, the spotlight is now on Bolton’s success story to inspire change.
Expect further updates as more towns may consider following Bolton’s lead in this evolving winter maintenance strategy.
