The City of Edmonton is contemplating the reintroduction of calcium chloride for winter road maintenance. This chemical aids in snow and ice removal, but its use was halted in 2020 due to concerns about environmental impact and vehicle corrosion.
Valerie Dacyk, the city’s supervisor of snow and ice removal, mentioned input from various sources, including academia, industry, frontline staff, Epcor, and the environmental group, during a recent news conference.
Coun. Jon Morgan suggested bringing back calcium chloride following a challenging winter season. He emphasized the importance of utilizing effective tools to address hazardous weather conditions.
The proposal by Morgan prompted the city to reconsider the use of calcium chloride. Other cities in Canada, such as Calgary, Toronto, and Saskatoon, continue to utilize this liquid chemical in different applications, including pre-snowfall pavement treatment, melting existing ice, and enhancing salt or sand adhesion.
A recent report estimated an initial cost of $4.4 million and annual expenses of $2.5 million for system upgrades to support increased calcium chloride use. The renewed interest in this chemical is linked to a new report on snow-and-ice control, which outlines potential changes for debate during the November budget deliberations.
The report also highlights a focus on supporting events and winter festivals. Concerns were raised by events like the Deep Freeze winter festival due to unusual precipitation patterns experienced by the city.
Dacyk acknowledged Edmonton’s evolving winter climate, noting a 31% decrease in overall winter precipitation alongside more frequent and volatile freeze-thaw cycles due to warmer trends.
The city’s community and public services committee will explore including accessibility as a key focus for snow-and-ice clearing in the future on August 31. Other recommendations from the report will be discussed during the budget meetings scheduled for November 2027-2030.