Edmonton Sticks to Its Guns on Icy Roads: No Comeback for Calcium Chloride

Ah, winter in Edmonton. It often brings with it that familiar crunch underfoot and, let's be honest, a fair bit of slip-sliding on our roadways. As temperatures dip and ice becomes a regular fixture, many residents might find themselves wondering about the city's strategy for keeping us all safe. Well, a key voice on city council, Andrew Knack, has made it quite clear: for now, it's business as usual for icy road cleanup, and there are absolutely no plans to bring back calcium chloride.

It's a conversation that pops up every time the roads get particularly treacherous, isn't it? For two winters, back in 2018-19 and 2019-20, Edmonton did experiment with calcium chloride. Some folks really liked it; it's quite effective at melting ice, even when the mercury plummets. But, like many solutions, it wasn't without its drawbacks, and those drawbacks ultimately led to its discontinuation.

Knack highlighted the main reasons for shelving the calcium chloride program. Primarily, there were significant environmental worries. Think about it: that stuff has to go somewhere once it melts. It started causing damage to our urban trees and other plant life, which is a big deal when you're trying to maintain a green city. And it wasn't just nature taking a hit. Our precious infrastructure – bridges, concrete sidewalks, even vehicles – seemed to suffer. Corrosion, wear and tear... it all adds up, both environmentally and financially.

So, where does that leave us? Currently, Edmonton's crews are out there, working diligently around the clock, deploying a mix of sand and salt. It’s a familiar method, tried and tested, even if it doesn’t always offer the immediate, deep-cold melting power of calcium chloride. The focus, as always, starts with the major arterial roads, then moves to bus routes, and eventually, residential streets. It's a massive undertaking, especially during prolonged cold snaps or heavy snowfalls.

While Councillor Knack acknowledges the ongoing challenges and mentions that the city is indeed reviewing its broader snow and ice removal strategy, he's firm that calcium chloride simply isn't on the table for reconsideration. The council, he indicates, is standing by its decision to prioritize the long-term health of our environment and public assets over the short-term perceived benefits of that particular de-icer. It’s about striking a balance, isn't it? Keeping our roads as safe as possible while also being responsible stewards of our city's environment and infrastructure.