Deicing, Plowing & Sanding

Before a storm arrives or in the early stages of a storm, MDT may apply winter maintenance chemicals to roadways to prevent snow and ice pack (anti-icing). MDT snowplow operators use just-in-time anti-icing guidelines to avoid unnecessary applications based on inaccurate forecasts. Once the anti-icing work is completed, MDT responds to winter storms as they occur and attempts to clear all roads as the snow continues to fall.

Interstates and roads that have the highest volume of traffic are cleared first. Workers continue to clear roads with top priority placed on the most-traveled roads down to areas with lower volumes of traffic.

In situations where a storm covers a large area, resources can be stretched beyond available limits. In these situations a system of priorities is followed to provide the best service.

Some routes may be closed for short durations until manpower and equipment are available for snow removal. Decisions to close a road are generally based on concerns for public safety, high difficulty, and cost of winter maintenance.

Tow Plows in Action

Learn More About Tow Plows

Staffing the Storm

When the snow flies, MDT has approximately 700 trained maintenance personnel working to clear ice, slush and snow off Montana's 25,000 lane miles of highway. These employees use a variety of winter maintenance vehicles including; snowplows, pre-wetters, spreaders, loaders and rotary snow blowers.

During the year, maintenance personnel prepare for the snow season by stockpiling necessary supplies. In the fall, the same trucks that have been used during the summer for stockpiling, patching and other maintenance operations are equipped with snowplows. Employees are trained to operate new equipment and in safety procedures.

earth with arrow motioning around the circumference

Plowing Montana

If a snow storm covers the entire state, the miles required to plow the whole system equates to 1 time around the earth and will be accomplished within 24 hours!

Materials

winter road

Traction Sand

Traction sand is crushed aggregate extracted from local gravel sources. Sand doesn't melt ice. It is applied to provide temporary traction during a storm event. Unlike chemicals, sand doesn't lose its performance as the temperature drops. During extended below zero cold snaps, sand accompanied by a snowplow and educated operator may be the only tool left.

Magnesium and Sodium Chlorides

Chlorides work like anti-freeze by lowering the freezing temperature of water and preventing ice from forming a strong bond to the road. It helps keep roads from becoming slick, improves safety and reduces accidents.

Magnesium chloride is a salt compound extracted primarily from the Great Salt Lake, with added corrosion inhibitors, used to prevent or remove the buildup of ice and snow on the road. The effective working temperature for magnesium chloride is above 10 F on the road surface.

Sodium chloride is used in liquid and solid form and is primarily extracted from the evaporation of sea water. The effective working temperature for sodium chloride is above 15 F on the road surface.

Your Questions

MDT considers these factors for clearing roads in the state highway system:

  • Traffic volumes
  • Accident reduction
  • Availability of manpower and equipment resources
  • Potential economic impact

MDT uses magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and traction sand. You can read more about these materials further up on this page.

It may seem dangerous to apply liquid to a road that might freeze, but liquid chlorides can prevent snow from sticking to the roadway and prevent frost or black ice formation. Thanks to liquid chlorides, winter driving can be a safer experience.

Tests have shown that the proper application of magnesium chloride or sodium chloride produces no negative effects on ground water, surface water, or vegetation. And, unlike sand, liquid chlorides won't crack your windshield or chip your car's paint.

Anti-icing
A light application of the liquid is applied to the road surface before a storm to prevent a hard bond of ice, reduce snow buildup, and speed snow and ice breakup after the storm.

Deicing
The liquid is applied to remove a thin layer of snow-pack or ice already on the road. It can be very effective for melting black ice and freezing rain.

Pre-wetting Sanding Materials
Wetting traditional sanding material with liquid chlorides causes sand to stick to snow-pack better. Keeping sand on the road is nearly impossible in some circumstances, especially in very cold weather and in cases where there's traffic at highway speeds. Liquid chlorides can keep more of the sand from blowing to the shoulder of the road.

A variety of factors are taken into account when deciding upon a course of action to treat winter roadways. Product application combinations are chosen after maintenance workers evaluate many factors including air temperature, pavement temperature, humidity levels, dew point temperatures, exposure to solar radiation, type and rate of precipitation, weather forecast, weather radar data, and satellite data. MDT monitors road conditions using infrared sensors, thermal mapping, and Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS).

Wash your car on a regular basis. Chlorides (along with slush and dirt from the roads) can splash onto your car and build up after time, leaving a filmy residue on your car. Make car washing part of your regular maintenance routine, and you'll help keep residue from the winter roads off of your car.

In many cases, chlorides work better by preventing or removing snow-pack and the need for sand. Chlorides keep snow from firmly sticking to the pavement and help ensure a faster return to bare pavement. Sand can be crushed by traffic and produce airborne dust, which contributes to pollution. In fact, 10 communities within Montana don't meet Federal Clean Air Act standards and must use anti-icing chemicals instead of sand (go to Air Quality Nonattainment for more information).

Sand and sand/salt mixtures are abrasives used to increase traction on slippery and icy roadways. Sand particles must be of significant size in order to provide effective amounts of traction. Additionally, finely ground sand would disperse into the air and contribute to pollution levels without providing sufficient coverage for traction. Current specification requires all crushed material to fit through a 5/16" opening.

Ask MDT

For more information about MDT's winter maintenance program, please contact:

Jon Swartz
Maintenance Administrator
406-444-6158