There’s no snow on the ground, but Petawawa is planning ahead for the winter season. Manager of Public Works Chris Mantha says they started mixing sand and salt this week. Mantha says the combination of sand and salt helps keep the roads safe for drivers in the winter months.
He adds controlling the amount of road salt they use is also important because it’s hard on local infrastructure and the environment.
Mantha says in past years they would pour the salt on the sand and end up with a mix that was not consistent. This year, the Town of Petawawa brought in a machine that mixes exactly 10 percent salt in with the sand and adds a liquid de-icing material that will not freeze until minus 50.
Mantha says crews spent about two days mixing the sand and salt earlier this week and the town has about 3,500 tonnes to help get them through the upcoming winter season.