ODOT Experiments with Salt Treatment on Icy Roads

PORTLAND, OR — As ice blanketed Oregon over the weekend, road crews were testing the effectiveness of salt in treating streets. KOIN is reporting that in the metro, crews were testing out salt from the Vista Tunnel along U.S. 26 to Sylvan Hill.

“We may consider salt use in the future. Right now, we’re looking at supply issues. We don’t really have any storage facility in the area, and as you can imagine right now it’s in high demand around the region,” said Don Hamilton with Oregon Department of Transportation.

Oregon State Police said that over the weekend, troopers have responded to more than 750 traffic incidents statewide. That includes 266 disabled vehicles and 394 crashes.

In the metro, icy roads continue to be problematic. Road conditions can be checked here.

“Conditions are hazardous everywhere,” said Hamilton.

Photo by Oregon Dept. of Transportation via Flickr Commons