Don’t Break the Ice

Greenbelt was blanketed in a sheet of ice Monday night, after a mixture of sleet and rain crept into the forecast meaning had to act quickly for morning commuters.

“Last night we had about seven to nine people out, most were spraying salt along the streets and we had two to three de-icing the sidewalks. Then, they all came in early today to de-ice again,” department director Kenneth Hall said.

Hall said this type of weather is more difficult to combat than snow. Snow can be plowed and melted with salt, but when freezing rain is added to the mix, sidewalks need to be de-iced every few hours.

Hall said they have to depend on traffic to break up the ice after they’ve done what they can with their materials.

“It would be nice if the sun would come out today,” he added.

Hall explained the main street’s conditions are clear now, but the side-streets that are less traveled are still slippery. The team is currently working on de-icing sidewalks near schools and businesses now.

“This is probably a normal weather we get,” Hall said of the icy weather for this time of year. “I prefer snow personally, it’s easier to fight so to speak because you can only do so much for the freezing ice and hope the traffic will help you.”