Ohio cities say road salt cheaper, more available this winter

ENGLEWOOD, Ohio (AP) — Ohio communities have the salt, now all they need is the snow.

Road salt is down to around $65 per ton this year, a relief for Ohio communities that struggled last year to find any salt at all and then paid exorbitant prices for what they could buy

Salt last year went from about $45 per ton to about $140 per ton, and some communities had to commit to large deliveries just to have enough on hand.

The harsh winter across the Midwest in 2007 depleted stockpiles at salt companies.

A state investigation also concluded that inflexible contracts and restrictive bidding contributed to shortages and high prices.

Luke Swift, public works director for Huber Heights in suburban Dayton, says the city learned how to plow more efficiently last year because of the shortage.