PennDOT Crews Alter Salt Mixture In An Effort To Keep Roads Clear
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS)—PennDOT crews have begun mixing in calcium-chloride to their typical salt mixture because of plunging temperatures.
Once temperatures reach 15 degrees or less, the regular salt reduces its ability to melt the snow and ice, so they add the calcium-chloride which helps maintain the salt's effectiveness.
PennDOT crews in the Delaware Valley are working with crews in Erie, who deal with this type of snow storm all of the time, and they offered advice on how to keep the roads clear and keep the salt actively working.
PennDOT began the new salting process around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon, but the conditions of the roads still are not great.
CBS 3's Todd Quinones traveled to Norristown from Center City and the trip took two hours and twenty minutes due to deteriorating road conditions.
Several cars were also spotted stuck or spinning out of control.
PennDOT says as of now its main concern is for tomorrow morning's commute, adding they are doing their best to ensure roads such as the expressway and turnpike are as clear as possible.
But it will certainly be no easy task, and PennDOT crews have a long night of work ahead of them.