'We are ready': Milwaukee ends 4-inch snow rule, unveils green salt for lower temperatures

The City of Milwaukee is saying goodbye to the 4-inch rule and unveiling its new "green" salt to prepare for winter weather.

"December is coming around the corner, and we are ready," Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said at a Monday news conference. "My message to winter is, 'Bring it on. Hit us with your best shot.' "

Certain residential streets in the city until now had parking rules that prohibited parking when snowfalls totaled 4 inches or more. But city officials decided to eliminate that in an effort to simplify its winter parking policies.

"We don't have the formal 4-inch rule in operation anymore," Barrett said.

People should instead check their streets for any posted parking rules. The city's Department of Public Works will also send notices to media outlets when DPW operations or snow emergencies are declared, but officials are urging residents to go to milwaukee.gov/mpw to sign up for Snow Mobile winter text and email alerts.

People can also call (414) 286-CITY or (414) 286-2489 for parking assistance.

When a DPW operation is called, city residents must park their cars on the even side of streets that allow overnight parking on even days and the odd side of those streets on odd days beginning at 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. the next day, officials said.

The city is also introducing a new treated green salt. Ordinary salt will still be used in most cases, but the green salt will be used when the temperatures drop, Barrett said.

The treated salt has magnesium chloride and a rust inhibitor, and will be used when the temperatures sink below 15 degrees, said Laura Daniels, the DPW's director of operations.

"Rock salt is our de-icer of choice for most operations, but when we get a cold snap, rock salt may not be as effective as we need it to be," Daniels said.

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She said it's also easier on vehicles and the city's infrastructure, such as bridges.

Officials said the city's winter preparations include: