Prairie Village testing road deicing product that requires fewer applications

ClearLane is use (stock photo).

The Great Thundersnow of 2012 did more than just give us all the opportunity to use the term “thundersnow” — for which I, at least, am eternally grateful. It also gave Prairie Village’s Public Works Department a chance to try out a new street salt product it hopes will save the city money and reduce the environmental impact of the deicing process.

Public Works Director Bruce McNabb first proposed a pilot project testing the effectiveness of Cargill’s ClearLane Enhanced Deicer during budget talks over the summer. As part of the city’s salt buy for the year, Prairie Village acquired a supply of the product, which is light green in color. Crews used the enhanced product on two of the deicing routes after Thursday’s snow, and will be comparing its effectiveness over regular street salt.

ClearLane cost around 50 percent more than traditional street salt, but requires fewer applications to clear the road. It also has a corrosion-inhibiting chemical designed to minimize impact to cars and trucks. The EPA has given the product a “Designed for the Environment” label.