Nebraska has decided to use salt to melt snow instead of plowing it off interstates in the Omaha area, The Associated Press reported recently, using plows only as a backup when heavy snow hits the area.

The state's new system had its first test last week after about 2 inches fell Tuesday, Nov. 26. About 300 tons of road salt were spread, and state officials said the system worked.

The new system went into action about 10:30 p.m. Monday and continued through Tuesday morning. Few problems were reported Tuesday on area interstate highways. However, the state's crews did plow some of the interstates around Omaha to remove slush, Gary Forman, a maintenance superintendent for the Nebraska Roads Department in Omaha, told AP.