Close Call On Salt Supplies

The supply of road salt was so short across Wisconsin this

year that the state was asking highway departments to cut back on salting state and county roads to ensure stockpiles last through the season. Monroe County Highway Commissioner, Jack Dittmar says they had a close call on running out.

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The DOT contracts with counties to remove snow and ice from state highways and the state’s cost took a big hit when they had to buy more salt at higher prices. The state bought 150 thousand tons this winter and because of short supplies, just over 10 thousand tons were bought from a vendor at a mark-up of over 350 percent.  The DOT is asking state legislators for $27 million to cover cost over-runs.