[AT] Winter roads and impact on crops

[John Widener]

I work for the department of transportation here in Indiana, "Diesel 
Mechanic"  and we use granular treatment "salt" and also Liquid Salt "Brine" 
All of our trucks are fitted with an electronic spreader control that will 
only allow so many pounds per lane mile to be distributes on the roads. If 
the truck starts delivering to much salt then it shuts down, so you have to 
deliver the right amount or you wont be distributing anything at all. And 
also there is tests done to the state right of way beside all highways to 
make sure that there isn't too much sodium in the surrounding soil. So they 
have come a long way in salt distribution in the past 5 years. The Brine is 
only put down when there is a threat of the roads or bridge decks frosting 
over night. after the first rainfall its washed away... The brine is also 
used in certain temperatures to activate the granular salt. This is done by 
spray nozzles that sits overhead of the salt being distributed, its not 
always used. Like I said, its only used at certain temperatures.


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <jahaze at aol.com>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 27, 2007 4:11 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Winter roads and impact on crops


>
> Ron,
>
>
>
> They have used salt here in Michigan for years, both the solid and liquid 
> kind and as far as I can tell, it has made no impact on the crops.? In 
> fact, you see very little impact to the weeds that grow alongside the 
> road.? I think the amount they put on would have to be substantially more 
> to effect the growth characteristics of most plants.??In reality, the 
> polluted micro-climate caused?by the car/truck exhaust fumes has a bigger 
> impact on the vegetation growing along the roadside, which is why the tree 
> along the road either yellow (pines) or turn colors in the fall quicker 
> than those which set back from the road.
>
>
>
> Enjoy, Joe?
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: rowilson at wildblue.net
> To: Antique tractor email discussion group <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Thu, 27 Dec 2007 3:21 pm
> Subject: [AT] Winter roads and impact on crops
>
>
>
>
> I've been wondering if everyone else in the colder climate states has
> taken to the practice of spraying the roads with brine a month before
> winter starts and as soon as the rain stops. Seems that the impact on the
> crops from the runoff of this stuff as well as the cars, trucks and more
> importantly the bridges of our country are more important than being able
> to drive 70 everywhere people want to go. I mean wht ever happened to
> using common sense when you drive? I'm looking at buying a little 2WD
> truck so I can park my Cummins/Dodge and my buddies all think I'm crazy.
> They say what are you going to do when it snows. Just like I did before
> they had front wheel drive cars, slow down.
> Rob
>
>
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