Kingston Public Works preparing for anticipated snow storm

As the large storm sweeping across Ontario inches its way closer to Kingston, the public works department is already on the job.

Starting about 24 hours in advance of the expected snowfall, crews are already preparing municipal roads and bridges with a brine solution.

Public Works director Bill Linnen says the brine helps keep the streets safer for motorists.

“When the snow does come it prevents a bond with the snow to the road and prevents icing situations so it’s a proactive approach to a storm response,” he said.

The brine is effective for about two days and does have some limitations.

“As it gets to -12 or -15 that material can be less effective,” Linnen said.

Winds are also expected to gust up to 50km/h which could lead to drifting.

A potentially frustrating situation for people shovelling their driveways, said weather forecaster Bill Hall.

“It’s a super pain when you’ve got to be shovelling it two to three times because mother nature feels you’ve got to see it again and the drifting pushes it right back into your driveway.”

Snow is expected to start falling by midday Tuesday and could continue off and on for as long as 48 hours.