While economic downturns have affected many municipalities across the nation, the Watauga County Division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation says work will continue to keep roads safe.

     "The division will continue to monitor and maintain the roads of Watauga County" said Kevin Whittington, Watauga County Maintenance Engineer,

     "At this moment we have approximately 4,700 tons of salt and 3,500 tons of screening to help keep the roads clear," added Whittington.

     Shortages are being experienced where the division acquires its salt but Whittington is confident they will be able to keep the roads clear this winter.

     De-icing chemicals like salt work by lowering the freezing point of water. A 23.3% concentration of salt water freezes at -6 degrees F and a 29.8% solution of calcium chloride freezes at -67 degrees F. These low freezing points are what makes salt and calcium chloride useful.