Romeoville Prepares for Winter, Buys Anti-Icing Equipment

Submitted by the Village of Romeoville:

Romeoville trustees have approved the purchase and installation of anti-icing equipment and a ground storage tank with pump assembly for an existing Public Works truck.

“This equipment will be a great feature to have, saving Public Works time and money because anti-icing reduces the amount of time required to restore the roads to a clear, dry state,” said Mayor John Noak. “Anti-icing is generally the most effective approach to prevent icy and snow-compacted roads, ultimately keeping the roads dry and safe for the residents and visitors driving through town,” Noak added.

According to village documents, the total cost of $27,466 includes $16,201 for the anti-icing equipment and $11,265 for the ground storage tank.

Anti-icing is a pro-active approach to winter road maintenance involving applying anti-icing products to the roadway before a winter storm. It forms a bond-breaker between the pavement surface and the snow and ice layer which melts snow more quickly and reduces the chance that ice will form and bond to the surface, similar to how cooking oil prevents food from sticking to the frying pan. “The equipment will allow Public Works to concentrate on pre-treating areas that typically are the first to become icy, such as bridge decks, and reduce the amount of salt used,” said Public Works Director Eric Bjork.