Statewide salt shortage in Michigan impacts Monroe County road crews
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/statewide-salt-shortage-impacts-monroe-county-road-commission/
High demand and logistical challenges are leaving some Michigan cities short on salt
Michigan Public
High demand and logistical challenges are leaving some Mi...
As Michigan faces large amounts of snow and persistent below-freezing temperatures, some areas are struggling to keep up. Some cities have issued notices as they struggle to find enough road salt to k
Michigan's statewide road salt budget relies heavily on bulk purchasing to keep winter road maintenance manageable. Here are the key details regarding Michigan's road salt spending:Statewide MDOT Budget: The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) typically budgets around $25 million to $27 million for winter road salt.Volume: In an average winter season, MDOT stocks up on and utilizes roughly 450,000 tons of salt for the 9,700 route miles of state highways.Pricing & Purchasing: By bulk-purchasing through the state’s extended purchasing program, local agencies gain access to negotiated prices. Per-ton prices for bulk salt generally fluctuate between $40 and $50 depending on the supplier and the year.Local and County Variation: Local road commissions manage their own separate budgets and handle secondary and residential roadways. For example, Wayne County budgets approximately $3.5 million per year for its salt operations.
Budgetary Impact of Weather: Winter severity directly impacts these budgets. Harsh seasons lead to excessive salt usage and depleted reserves, which can sometimes require local road commissions to tap into their general funds to secure more salt. Conversely, warmer-than-average years (like during historically mild winters) yield significant savings and reduced pollution.
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