Fredericton — The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure has released its new winter maintenance plan. A key change is a pilot program to replace road salt with glyphosate.
“Although primarily used by the forestry sector, glyphosate has shown potential to melt snow and ice on roadways as effectively as traditional road salt,” stated Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Jeff Carr.
“Glyphosate has been used for many years and New Brunswickers are familiar and comfortable with the product,” he added.
The Department stated that glyphosate will also help control vegetation next to roadways, which is no longer being cut. The application of glyphosate in the winter will also enhance motorists’ safety in the summer season.
The main difference between road salt and glyphosate that motorists will notice is the smell. “Motorists can mitigate the horrible stench by turning on the air recirculation button in their vehicles,” said Carr.
Another benefit compared to salt is that glyphosate may act as a rust inhibitor, which will allow motorists to keep their vehicles for much longer.
To inform motorists of glyphosate application on roadways, Carr said the product will be dyed orange and special orange-painted plow trucks will be used.
“This change will also save the province money as the Department has entered into an agreement with J.D. Irving, Ltd. to purchase bulk amounts of glyphosate at a greatly reduced cost.”
Photo by Michael Pereckas used under Creative Commons license
Glyphosate (a primary ingredient in Roundup) is banned from use or “restricted” where I live in BC. I can’t believe NB is trying this. Your committee for climate change and environment, your indigenous communities, AND your doctors think it’s a bad idea. So who okayed this pilot project?
“…Summer [2021], New Brunswick’s standing committee on climate change and the environment held hearings on herbicides, at which scientists, citizens’ groups and Indigenous leaders presented. In November, the committee issued 20 recommendations including that the minister immediately request NB Power to cease using glyphosate along transmission lines.”
With Dr. Marrero writing that laboratory tests on a number of patients (with the mysterious neurological illness) showed “clear signs of exposure” to glyphosate, as well as other compounds linked to herbicides, (where those tested had levels “many times over the detection limit,”) maybe this pilot project should be halted?