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An alternative to sand and salt

To the editor:

Re: “Sand versus salt — difficult decisions,” published Tuesday, Oct. 27 in the Safety on the Roads weekly column by Dave Werner:

A great topic for public discussion and needed conversation to maintain and rescue water quality of New York state.

There is an alternative to sand or salt.

The 3rd option, widely used in European winter countries, is a form of sharp-edged fractured rock about the size of a pea.

No chemicals, no drainage problems, no siltation of waterways.

Recyclable and reusable.

The size of this sharp-edged rock is designed and results in little movement during rain.

There is a gradual loss of sharp edge and a loss of gripping power over years, but then the rock material is put into construction purposes. Each spring the rock is collected, cleaned, and recycled or replaced.

The rocks are not for highways and main routes like 73 or 86, but for the hundreds of local roads and streets.

BEST fact of NO salt and NO chemicals is recycle and reuse.

Estimate on costs savings? Testing needed.

A champion needs to step forward from a North Country county highway Department or from New York State Department of Transportation to lead investigation and testing.

Mike McGlynn

Lake Placid

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