Harris County Precinct 3 Pioneers Innovative, Eco-Friendly Brine Program for Icy Roadways
Harris County Precinct 3 is leading the way in road safety, introducing a first-of-its-kind program for Harris County to tackle icy conditions on its extensive network of roads and bridges. This season, brine, not chatrock, will be used to treat roadways in freezing weather. Precinct 3's Road and Bridge crews have created specially fabricated equipment to deploy this efficient, cost-effective solution, ensuring safe commutes even on the iciest of days.
Jennifer Almonte, the Road and Bridge Director for Precinct 3, explained that the decision to switch to the brine program was informed by the precinct's sheer scope. Covering over 300 bridges and 6700 lane miles of roadway, traditional methods of ice control, such as chatrock, were found to be ineffective. Brine, a liquid solution, is not only quicker to apply, but its lower cost and wider coverage make it a practical and efficient alternative.
Brine tanks and systems were entirely designed and created in-house by Precinct 3 staff, delivering significant cost savings to tax payers. According to Almonte, the tanks are large enough to cover an entire route, reducing the number of trips back to the Precinct 3 workshop to restock on material.
This isn't just about cost and efficiency, though. There's an environmental benefit to the deployment of this new method as well. Where chatrock can cause unsightly messes and potential damage to vehicles, the brine solution is easier on the environment, reducing the impact of winter road treatments.
“When you see those colder temperatures approaching in the forecast, be assured and know that Precinct 3 is out and ready to keep your roads and bridges safe for emergency response vehicles but more importantly, for the traveling public,” said Commissioner Tom Ramsey.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
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