Sidewalk solution

PALMER — The Palmer Department of Public Works has utilized a unique method of battling winter walking conditions, spraying small portions of eco-friendly molasses mixture on sidewalks in Palmer.

As a result of the distribution of the mixture on yellow strips, residents of Palmer have been contacting the Public Works Department to ask about a mysterious brown substance on city sidewalk corners. According to Public Works Superintendent Greg Wickham, the mixture of mostly molasses and beet juice is designed to help reduce the buildup of ice on city walkways.

“Quite a few people have asked what it is because it looks like rusty water,” Wickham said.

City Manager Nathan Wallace presented the council with Resolution 19-10 in February of 2019 to appropriate $13,134 for a Ventrac sidewalk snow clearing vehicle. The Ventrac is used to chip and clear ice and also comes with attachments capable of deploying salt and other ice melting methods, including molasses. The city has been purchasing molasses in 275 gallon quantities from Alaska Garden and Pet and deploying the mixture this winter on all of the Americans with Disabilities Act curb ramps. The brown mixture coating the small yellow bumps has freezing point of negative 10 degrees fahrenheit and was originally tested near the elementary and middle schools to prevent ice from forming in high foot traffic areas.

“It’s an eco-friendly ice melt,” said Wickham. “It’s been really helpful getting sidewalks opened up.”

Wickham said that the mixture has helped to increase the safety of sidewalks around the city of Palmer and the Department of Public Works will deploy the mixture on nearly 300 ADA curb ramps throughout the city.