Edmonton Considers Bringing Back Calcium Chloride for Winter Road Maintenance
The City of Edmonton is considering bringing back calcium chloride for snow and ice removal this winter, six years after the city stopped using the de-icing agent amid concerns about damage to vehicles, concrete, and infrastructure. A recent Edmonton City Council report on the city’s snow and ice control policy and program review lists calcium chloride system upgrades among proposed operational enhancements. The item is associated with $2.5 million in ongoing costs and $4.4 million in one-time costs. An attachment to the report notes council banned calcium chloride on Edmonton roadways in 2020. However, city administration is updating its understanding of best practices and environmental concerns surrounding the chemical, which remains polarizing despite widespread use in other Canadian cities.
TL;DR
- Edmonton is considering reintroducing calcium chloride for winter road maintenance.
- The de-icing agent was previously banned in 2020 due to concerns about damage to vehicles, concrete, and infrastructure.
- Proposed system upgrades for calcium chloride come with $2.5 million in ongoing costs and $4.4 million in one-time costs.
- City administration is updating its understanding of best practices and environmental concerns related to the chemical.
- Calcium chloride remains a polarizing issue despite its use in other Canadian cities.