Another use for Mollasses

[Barry]

Ive just been out for a spin as its 7 Deg C and a nice sunny day but the roads are slippy as hell in places. A mate at work told me that this winter instead of being salted our roads are being treated with a mixture of liquid molasses and salt.  It's supposed to stick better and be less corrosive as much less salt is used. It may work below freezing but I can't say I like it when it warms up a bit. Molasses doesn't sound like the best aid to traction I can think of.  It does less damage to the gritting lorries though so that's alright then.

This stuff is sold under the name "safecoat". I think they got that wrong.

[Lucky_Lou]

Not heard of that before Barry, but we have had the gritters out and i didn't notice any difference,Ive been out for a short spin today going over to Squires tomorrow if i get chance thats about 20 miles from me ill let you know what the roads are like tomorrow as im sure the gritters will be out tonight.
Lou

[MrRiden]

Mollasses on the roads. I'll bet come spring you'll have ants the size of deer!

[Justin B.]

Might be a good way to control 'em.  Lure 'em out onto the roads and just run over 'em all day!

[nhmaf]

They've experimented with several similar types of mixtures on roads here in "new" england - including some stuff that was largely a waste product of some brewery with a few additional additives.   so far, none of them seem to work any better than the usual salt/sand mixture they've traditionally used, and the experimental stuff costs significantly more and does attract more wildlife than the usual salt/deer interaction and required large tanks with sprayers and a pump to apply - more $$ to retrofit the town's dump trucks.   Many of the towns around here were interested in non-salt based solutions as the salt breaks down the concrete in our bridges quite substantially over time - they aren't so concerned about how rusty our vehicles get..