Fighting Ice with Food: Unusual Ways to Keep Roads Safe

In the battle against icy roads, cities are getting creative. They're mixing beet juice, molasses, and even pickle brine with salt to keep roads safe. This might sound strange, but it's working.

The Problem with Salt

Salt has been the go-to for melting ice on roads for years. It's cheap and effective. But it's not great for the environment. All that salt is making lakes and rivers saltier. This is bad news for fish, frogs, and tiny creatures like zooplankton.

Research shows that salt levels in some lakes have gone up a lot in the last 50 years. This is causing problems for wildlife. Plus, salt damages cars, roads, and bridges, costing billions every year.

The Solution: Unconventional Mixes

So, what's the solution? Cities are trying out new ideas. One of them is beet juice. It's mixed with salt to make a sticky, safe road surface. Converse, Texas, is using this mix. They say it works even in very cold temperatures.

Other cities are using molasses, beer waste, and cheese brine. These might sound weird, but they're helping to keep roads safe and the environment healthier.

A Step in the Right Direction

It's not possible to stop using salt completely. But using less and mixing it with other things can make a big difference. It's a step in the right direction for keeping roads safe and protecting nature.