publishedJuly 19, 2022 at 2:19 p.m
For coolingNetherlands sprinkle salt against the scorching heat
Gritters on the street are an unusual sight at these temperatures. But the salt is supposed to cool the asphalt.
Bridges are cooled with water, …
AFP
… so that the steel does not expand.
AFP
Because of the high temperatures, many roads and bridges in the Netherlands have to be cooled. An unusual sight in the record heat are gritters on the streets. However, the salt is not spread because of smoothness, but to cool the asphalt, as the Hardenberg municipality reports. The salt extracts moisture from the air, which in turn cools the asphalt. This is to prevent damage and sticking to the road surface.
In Amsterdam, the movable bridges have been specially cooled with water since the morning. This is to prevent the steel from expanding. Then bridges could no longer be opened to let boats through.
To protect employees from heat – no grocery deliveries
Furthermore, the largest Dutch supermarket chain, Albert Heijn, does not deliver any purchases to customers on Tuesday afternoon. With expected maximum temperatures of up to 40 degrees, it is irresponsible to send employees out on the street to make deliveries, the company said. Numerous customers expressed their displeasure on social networks. Others take it with humor and a melted van meme goes viral.
(dpa/smk)