What happens when we run out of salt? (Chicago, Oak Park: environment, house)

[IcantSELLmyHouse]

I just heard that some places will run out of salt for roads what happens then?
Do they use sand and no salt?
Do they only plow and no treatment?
Can they buy salt from other cities that have some to spare?

Is this from the global warming? If so it sure is not very warm to me.

[karlsch]

Here in the Western United States, even in the mountains where heavy snow is common and the inclines are steep, salt is never used.

Plow, sand where necessary, and drive carefully.

[Maintainschaos]

Most places that use sand do so for two reasons: 1) it's pretty cheap and 2) they are concerned about the salt either seeping into the water table or running off into a lake. Sand will give you grip on the sidewalk, but it doesn't lower the freezing point, so the ice remains.

There's more salt on the planet than we know what to do with--lack of it is not a product of global warming.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

There's more salt on the planet than we know what to do with--lack of it is not a product of global warming.

I always enjoy telling friends who use expensive gourmet "sea salt" on their food that the salt in the blue Morton's containers that you can buy for almost nothing at the supermarket is also sea salt.

[sukwoo]

Some of the burbs around here pretty much have already run out of salt. Oak Park is no longer salting side roads to conserve what salt we still have. You can use sand and you can still plow obviously. Luckily, the roads aren't curvy or hilly around here. People just have to drive slower and be more careful.

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by sukwoo

Some of the burbs around here pretty much have already run out of salt. Oak Park is no longer salting side roads to conserve what salt we still have. You can use sand and you can still plow obviously. Luckily, the roads aren't curvy or hilly around here. People just have to drive slower and be more careful.

If you've run out of salt, then the only limitation is that your city/town/village gov't isn't paying to buy more of it.

[sukwoo]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

If you've run out of salt, then the only limitation is that your city/town/village gov't isn't paying to buy more of it.

Apparently prices for salt have skyrocketed. Here's a recent Chicago tribune article on this topic.

Salt shortage leaves suburban drivers on ice -- chicagotribune.com

[via chicago]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

If you've run out of salt, then the only limitation is that your city/town/village gov't isn't paying to buy more of it.

Actually many towns have ordered additional supplies, but they are several weeks behind in delivery due to barges being backed up on the Mississippi River due to ice. And as the above article mentioned, the price has skyrocketed.

Also, many towns don't like to use sand because it clogs sewers, and has to be cleaned out icome spring.

[aragx6]

I lived in a place where they used ash from the coal power plants. It was the grossest stuff ever, and couldn't be good for the environment. I guess it was super cheap though. I guess my point is it could be worse haha.

[NYrules]

Originally Posted by IcantSELLmyHouse

I just heard that some places will run out of salt for roads what happens then?
Do they use sand and no salt?
Do they only plow and no treatment?
Can they buy salt from other cities that have some to spare?

Is this from the global warming? If so it sure is not very warm to me.

What happens if we run out of salt? You crash and go boom. Just drive accordingly folks... Its as simple as that and for God's sake get some new tires if your tires are just about smooth! I almost got hit the other day by some _ _ _ hole who fishtailed because of his bald tires.