Roadway Salt Supply Save Email Print
Reporter: Evrod Cassimy
Email Address: ECassimy@nbc15.com

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"We've got enough right now that we can keep the roads safe we feel for the rest of the winter," says Dane County Highway Superintendent, Steve Haag.

It's one of the most necessary ingredients when it comes to snow removal, a large enough supply of salt to melt the ice that forms on roadways. But with every snowfall, the county's supply gets lower.

"If we run out entirely and can't get anymore then we have to go with strictly a sand mix."

At the beginning of the winter season, the Dane County highway department was equipped with 50 thousand tons of salt. Several snowfalls later they're operating with only 10 to 12 thousand tons.

And while another snowfall may seem to cause concern for the county's salt supply, help is on the way.

"We'll have more coming in tomorrow. We're starting to get a shipment in tomorrow after this facility will be about half full after we're done getting our salt in here."

The salt and sand is shipped in from different areas in the state and at this point Haag says it's highly unlikely they'll run out of salt this season. As soon as neighboring counties report snowfall, snow removal crews begin stocking up. And most trucks will stay out 24 hours a day until each road is salted and the job is complete.

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Posted by: Jamie Location: Madison on Jan 30, 2008 at 06:28 PM
They say they are staying on top of these roads. Well everday it seems to me there is some sort of accident due to the road conditions. To me it seems the plow truck drivers are not doing a good enough job!

Posted by: Mike Location: Madison on Jan 29, 2008 at 11:39 PM
And thank heaven for all those hard working plow drivers, mechanics, dispatchers, and everyone that keeps those trucks on the road when the weather gets crappy!! Thank you from the bottom of all our hearts in this family for keeping our roads clean, and our family safe!