Bill seeking alternatives to road salt passes Virginia Senate

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A Virginia bill that seeks to replace the salting of roadways in the winter has cleared a hurdle at the state capitol with bipartisan support.

The Virginia Senate on Feb. 12 passed Senate Bill 482 39-1, roughly a month after it was introduced by Sen. Danica Roem (D-Manassas). The bill directed the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to conduct an environmental study and find safe alternatives to road salt in wintry weather.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), when winter passes and ice melts, road salt can make its way into nearby surface and systems and contaminate water reservoirs and wells. Excess road salt accumulation can also kill roadside plants and harm wildlife.

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The bill directed VDOT to measure road salt's impact on infrastructure, the environment and its "corrosive effects" on personal property in its study. The study should then compare results with potential alternatives.

The bill also directed VDOT to include the annual spending by both state and local governments on road treatment since 2020 and an estimated amount budgeted for 2026 through 2028.

VDOT has until Nov. 15 to submit its findings to the House and Senate Committees on Transportation.

Another Virginia lawmaker has also worked to raise awareness about road salt.

Del. Kathy Tran (D-Fairfax) last month introduced a resolution that designates the last week of January as "Winter Salt Week." The effort encourages responsible salt use and public education about its environmental impacts.