In the face of possible heavy snows caused by El Nino, Sun Valley's street department is trying a new tactic to keep roads clear and safe.

Sprayed on roads before a storm, applications of magnesium chloride aim to prevent ice formation on pavement."It makes our snow removal process different," said Bill Pereira, Sun Valley's street superintendent.

He said snowplows incompletely lift snow from pavement, leaving an icy layer below. Applications of magnesium chloride keep ice from forming, allowing plows to lift snowfall cleanly.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.