Winnipeg to consider new ways to ‘beet’ winter driving conditions

Sugar beet juice will be a hot topic at City Hall next Friday when the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works discusses snow removal alternatives.

Over the past few years, Winnipeg has been experimenting with beet juice mixed with salt to treat roads.

Committee members will be reviewing a report that states the use of beet juice reduces the amount of road salt needed for ice control by up to 70 per cent.

READ MORE: City looking to expand its beet juice pilot project for slick Winnipeg streets

The report also mentions the sugar beet byproduct is more environmentally sound than other chemicals used regularly.

In years past, Winnipeg has used Iceban, Caliber, Ice B’Gone, and FreezGard – all magnesium chloride-based products.

But beet juice surpasses standard products in three ways: it works more effectively in cold temperatures, it lasts longer on the roads and it minimizes the amount of salt needed.

The city said it uses 900,000 litres of de-icing liquid each year, on average. Currently, that liquid is Road Guard Plus, which is applied in the same manner as the beet juice that was trialed.

The contract for Winnipeg’s supply of de-icing agents runs out in April, and a new contract will be tendered later this spring.

Given the price and effectiveness of beet juice, the liquid could become a permanent fixture.