The McHenry County Division of Transportation is the recipient of the Better Roads 2009 “Top Rollout” award for new and innovative products.

Each year Better Roads magazine gives recognition to new products that have impacted the Transportation industry. This year one of those products, the salt slurry generator, was selected as a top ten product of the year. The McHenry County Division of Transportation is being recognized as a contributor to the development of this product.

The salt slurry generator is a unit that attaches to the rear of a plow truck and crushes the salt prior to being dispensed from the vehicle. This reduces the scatter of the salt. The material is also wetted as it is dispensed at a very high rate (up to 5 times higher than conventional methods). The result is a sloppy wet solution that doesn't scatter and begins to work instantly. This slop lead to the name “slurry generator”.

The unit was developed by Monroe Truck with input from Bret Hodne of West Des Moines and Mr. DeVries of the MCDOT. Mr. DeVries and Mr. Hodne each had an opportunity to travel to Europe where they observed different types of material (very fine salt) and different types of spreading equipment. They brought their observations to Monroe Truck and pitched the idea. Monroe Truck embraced the idea and began development in 2007.

Monroe has sold numerous units and the results have been very favorable. MCDOT has one unit in service at this time and our experience has been favorable as well. Monroe Truck and the City of West Des Moines, are also recipients of this year’s award.

Congratulations again to Mr. DeVries and MCDOT.