Ecology in winter service

Any means will do - in the right place

It is important to be prepared for the white days and nights, but what should be used to avert the danger of black ice? With salt, brine or grit?

Salt and brine (33% salt solution) are used as de-icing agents on the entire road network in the Principality of Liechtenstein after the snow has been cleared.

Environmental Protection and Economic Affairs Division

Increased environmental awareness and a reluctance to incur excessive costs have turned blanket snow clearing into a differentiated winter service. The motto is: "As much as necessary, as little as possible". Winter road maintenance on Liechtenstein's roads is first and foremost committed to road safety and secondly to the environment. However, it must also be geared towards the modern requirements of the national economy and the budgets of the road services.

High-quality salt used sparingly and efficiently

The salt used as a de-icing agent in Liechtenstein comes from the Swiss Rhine salt works in Pratteln. As this salt does not contain any magnesium or calcium, which are considered aggressive substances, but only sodium chloride, it is a very advantageous product. Modern tools also make it possible today to achieve the same effect with 5 - 10 grams of salt per square meter of icy road as in the past, when 30 grams and more were spread.

Grit with a poor ecological balance

Experience has shown that grit only improves safety on icy and snow-covered roads for a short time. Another disadvantage is that grit has a poor ecological balance. The fine-grained material has to be spread in much larger quantities than salt. In addition, grit produces the dreaded fine dust when the roads dry out. In the end, this fine dust remains in the ditch, in the adjacent meadows or in the sewage treatment plant and has to be disposed of as hazardous waste in a very complex process.