SALT IN TRANSPORTATION

Canada is a vast nation, with relatively few people, whose commerce, industry and livelihood are almost wholly dependent on safe, continuous lines of transportation and communication. Yet the heavy snowfalls of the Canadian winter threaten their disruption for six months every year. In the past, snow and ice on the highways and railways endangered lives and slowed or stopped traffic. Today, with the ever increasing number of vehicles on our roads the need, and demand, for ice-free pavements becomes more and more widespread. Salt has been found to be the most efficient and economical material to provide these safe ice-free conditions. Salt is quickly and easily applied and goes to work immediately melting the ice and snow and preventing them from bonding to the pavements. Canadian homeowners can put salt to work on their steps and sidewalks with the same effect. Thus this versatile material is playing a vital role in keeping traffic moving, and moving safely.