ODOT: More salt, de-icing liquids used

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

While this winter won’t likely set a record, unless it gets a lot worse than it has been so far, the cost of maintaining state highways in Van Wert, Paulding, and Putnam counties is significantly higher this year than last winter, according to updated figures released by the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 1.

While salt is still a mainstay for keeping roads clear and snow and ice melted, the use of de-icing liquids has increased tremendously over the last few years as a preventive measure to snow and ice build-up, as well as a way to decrease the use of salt, which has gotten more expensive.

In Van Wert County so far this winter, ODOT has used more than four times as much de-icing liquid as was done last winter in an attempt to make snow and ice removal quicker and easier.

So far, ODOT has used 4,369 tons of salts, a whopping 76,664 gallons of de-icing liquids, and has spent a total of $577,997 so far. That compares with 2,226 tons of salt used at this point last winter, just 18,470 gallons of de-icing liquids, and a total cost of $274,909.

In Paulding County, ODOT has used 4,488 tons of salt, 38,905 gallons of de-icing liquids, and has spent $427,431 so far this winter. That compares to 2,565 tons of salt, 10,671 gallons of de-icing liquids, and a cost of $298,666 at this point last winter.

In Putnam County, 4,052 tons of salt have been used this winter, as well as 34,514 gallons of de-icing liquids, at a cost so far of $492,303. Last winter, 2,095 tons of salt and 20,860 gallons of de-icing liquids were used at a cost of $300,180 at this point.

Overall, the eight-county ODOT District 1 has used 34,928 tons of salt and 364,487 gallons of liquid de-icer, for a total cost so far of $4,071,871. Last winter at this time, ODOT District 1 had used 20,887 tons of salt and 255,081 gallons of de-icer for a total cost of $2,672,157.