ODOT orders 200,000 tons of salt for communities running low

ODOT orders 200,000 tons of salt for communities running low

COLUMBUS

The Ohio Department of Transportation expects to order about 200,000 tons of salt to distribute to communities whose supplies are running low.

“It is unprecedented for Ohio,” ODOT director Jerry Wray said. He said the state usually stocks about 600,000 tons of salt; this year, it is approaching 1 million tons.

The extra supply could cost more too.

“As the demand goes up, supply is limited,” Wray said. “I think we’re going to be seeing higher prices and we will have to deal with that as best we can. It is not an option for us not to take care of the roads.”

The salt will be dumped in seven locations around the state so that cities, towns and villages can replenish their supplies.

They will have to share.

“We have to be careful that we don’t allow one jurisdiction to take what might be more than their share and shut some jurisdictions out,” he said.

ODOT officials said they hope the new order will be enough to at least last the next few weeks.