Whitfield County public works says new brine station, 45,000 gallons used helped speed winter response

Whitfield County’s Public Works head, Brian Brackett, told the Board of Commissioners on Jan. 13 that a newly completed brine station and a concentrated crew effort helped the county respond faster during a recent winter event.

Brackett said the county produced and distributed 45,000 gallons of brine in less than 24 hours and pretreated major collectors and about 80% of minor roads before the event. The crew also treated parking lots countywide. The department reported it has ordered 200 tons of bulk salt (“buckshot”) to replenish supplies and has 21,000 gallons of brine on hand with 19 trucks equipped with plows and 11 vehicles dedicated for brine pretreatment.

Why this matters: pretreatment with brine reduces the time and material needed to clear covered roads after winter weather, improving mobility and safety for residents. Brine pretreatment can also reduce wear on road surfaces by limiting the need for repeated rock-salt applications.

Brackett described the response as a ‘‘group effort’’ and thanked crews who worked long shifts; commissioners commended the staff. Commissioners asked whether pretreatment made a noticeable difference compared with applying rock salt after an event; Brackett said treated roads were easier to clear, noting photos showed untreated roads holding ice while pretreated roads were cleared with a single plow pass.

Background and capacity: the department reported it plans 30-plus miles of resurfacing in 2025 and intends to perform more in-house strapping work. Brackett said the county recently completed a second FIFA-certified turf field (west side) and recorded more than 35,100 youth participants in recreation programs during 2024.

Ending: Commissioners expressed appreciation for the public-works crews’ sustained effort during the winter storm and confirmed the department is stocking supplies and trucks to respond through the rest of the winter season.