Although it may be shocking when you first hear it, beet juice is proving to be a usable replacement to the usual sand used on Manitoba streets in winter.

La Broquerie, Manitoba has been using a new sugar beet juice with brine mixture this winter to see if it could replace the usual sand/salt method. This new concoction could save money in the end and be better for the environment. The mixture is called Fusion and has shown that it could be less to clean up and cause less damage to the roads.

It is meant to be spread on warmer winter days, then after drying, it bonds to the road to prevent slippery icy patches and snow from sticking. It is less corrosive than the method currently used in Winnipeg and should last longer between applications.

Other areas of Manitoba are also testing this new product including Dauphin, and the Assiniboine Park Zoo.