CALCIUM CHLORIDE-SALT SNOW AND ICE CONTROL TEST, WINTER 960-61

THE CONNECTICUT STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT HAS FOR MANY YEARS ENDEAVORED TO MAINTAIN BARE PAVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT AND IN SOME AREAS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCOMPLISH THE DESIRED RESULTS USING A SAND-SALT MIXTURE OR SALT ALONE. A FURTHER CONSIDERATION WAS THE CONSERVATION OF SAND. IN MANY AREAS OF CONNECTICUT, SAND DEPOSITS HABE BEEN DEPLETED OR ZONED OUT OF EXISTENCE, RESULTING IN THE NECESSITY OF IMPORTING SAND. THE RESULTING INCREASE IN THE COST OF SAND TENDS TO MAKE CHEMICAL CONTROL OF SNOW AND ICE MORE ATTRACTIVE FROM AN ECONOMIC POINT OF VIEW. THE RESULTS OBTAINED BY THE USE OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE-SALT MIXTURES ON THE NEW YORK THRUWAY WERE CITED TO GAIN PERMISSION TO CONDUCT A TEST OF CHEMICAL CONTROL OF SNOW AND ICE ON A SECTION OF CONN. 15 IN THE TOWNS OF WILLINGTON, ASHFORD, AND UNION DURING THE WINTER OF 1960-61. THIS REPORT COVERS THE TEST IN CONSIDERABLE DETAIL. MECHANICAL FAILURES AND UNFAMILIARITY WITH PROCEDURES RESULTED IN HIGHER COSTS THAN WOULD NORMALLY BE EXPECTED. NEVERTHELESS, THE COST APPEARS TO BE SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME AS STANDARD METHODS OF SNOW AND ICE CONTROL. /AUTHOR/