Mayor reverses course, says salt OK for snow

In a press conference today, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels announced the city will now allow the use of salt to clear snow and ice during major storms:

“After reviewing our de-icing practices, I’m ordering the Seattle Department of Transportation to start using salt in emergency situations. When more than four inches of snow are predicted or when extreme weather is expected to last more than three days. We will use it on hills, major arterials, bus routes, routes to hospitals and emergency facilities.”

The mayor’s office has been under fire in recent days for the city’s response in clearing snow-packed roadways. Nickels previously had said salt was too harmful to the environment to use on Seattle roadways, opting for sand instead.

A plow at work along 80th St. on Dec. 21st.