Traffic volume is the decisive factor when the Swedish Transport Administration decides what type of anti-slip control should be carried out on a road.
But when the roads between Umeå and Holmsund changed road numbers, it was decided to only salt the south side of the river so that the people of Holmsund can choose whether they want to drive on a salted road or not.
- It's like an old tradition, says Claes Dahlgren, who is the Swedish Transport Administration's project manager for the operating area Umeå Norra, which includes road 531, also called "Holmsundsvägen" or "old E12".
"Holmsundsvägen" often icy and bumpy
This has led to the road on the north side usually being in worse condition when the road conditions are difficult.
- We find it difficult to maintain the smoothness of it based on the fact that the ice freezes in the road, says Claes Dahlgren.
Less and less salt
According to him, the Swedish Transport Administration has overall reduced the amount of salt they put on the roads and even if the percentage of slippery days is believed to increase, this does not necessarily mean that there will be more salt.
- We will mainly look at how and when we use the salt, says Claes Dahlgren.
In the clip, you hear some residents of Holmsund tell about how they decide which road to drive, as well as why the Swedish Transport Administration does not name "Holmsundvägen".