CBS 58 MUKWONAGO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- CBS 58 is keeping a close eye on winter weather as snow and slick conditions create challenges on area roads. Crews are out clearing streets, but they’re also dealing with a salt shortage that’s driving up costs.
Snow coming down Saturday, Jan. 17, made roads slick as blowing snow moved through the area. Drivers have been navigating changing conditions while crews work to keep roads passable.
All Seasons Facility Maintenance has been busy responding to the snowfall. President Morgan Ferrari says crews have been on the roads since 3 a.m. Saturday morning, adjusting plans as conditions vary from place to place.
“We had intended to go out and salting and then we started plowing because we were finding in Oconomowoc two to three inches, but then by the airport we’re salting so it was just very sporadic,” Ferrari said.
As temperatures and snowfall fluctuate, crews are often forced to change tactics.
“We’ll be plowing and then salting. Potentially because of the temperatures we might have to salt to loosen it up, plow it, then salt it again,” Ferrari said.
That increased demand comes at a time when salt supplies remain tight.
“Everybody’s out. The major suppliers for salt for the contractors none of the suppliers have salt right now or if they do it’s very minimal,” Ferrari said.
The shortage has also caused prices to spike. Ferrari says salt that once cost around $70 per ton is now significantly more expensive.
“We’re lucky to find it at $150 to $170. I got quotes $215 to have it brought in from Minnesota and that’s not even available anymore,” she said.
Because of the limited supply and higher costs, crews have had to find alternatives.
“We've switched gears to more of a brine situation. It works the same and it just takes a little bit longer to apply it, but it's cheaper and we can actually get that,” Ferrari said.
Looking ahead, Ferrari warns the ongoing shortage could eventually impact homeowners as winter continues.
“We still have a lot of winter left and we don’t necessarily have the supplies, salt, that we’ve had in the past. If we have an ice storm I think homeowners are going to have a hard time finding some for themselves, let alone hiring someone to help them out,” she said.
Crews say they’ll continue monitoring conditions and adapting as needed as winter weather moves through the area.
