Cookeville’s Public Works Department is already prepping for winter storms by purchasing road de-icing salt.
Director Greg Brown said that de-icing salt plays a key role in driving on icy roads. However, he said there can be a point where it becomes less effective.
“The colder it is the less efficient the salt works,” Brown said. “So when it gets below 10 you need much much more than you would to melt the same amount of snow and ice when say it’s 30 degrees.”
Brown said that the purchase is through a contract with the state. He said that the department has to reserve a certain quantity in order to be able to obtain the salt before the season starts.
Brown said that their salt use varies by year.