Fargo street crews rely on key solution to help keep roadways clear of snow and ice

(Fargo, ND) -- Street crews in the City of Fargo apply 20 thousand gallons of liquid salt brine to roads ahead of storms to help prevent the build up of ice and snow.

"The main advantage or the main purpose of putting the product down, the salt brine ahead of time is it prevents the snow and ice from bonding to the roadway so when we do come in and remove that snow with our plows it will peel that snow and ice off the roadway.  We'll get a lot cleaner product in the end," said Fargo Public Works Services Manager Paul Feichtner.

Feichtner says his 52 street employees use the solution as one tool in their toolbox in their efforts to keep roadways clear.  The city has used the salt brine for several years. Feichtner says it contains an additive designed to limit corrosion to vehicles on the roadways.  

The street crews are responsible for clearing and maintaining roughly 2,000 miles of pavement in the city.