Mild winter lowers snow removal costs

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

Area residents know it’s a mild winter when the Ohio Department of Transportation’s District 1 has only spent about a third of what it did last year on snow and ice removal.

ODOT’s District 1 has spent $130,392 so far this year on snow and ice removal, compared to $300,296 in 2014-15. District 1 has spent $75,00 less in parts and $285,000 less in fuel for snow and ice operations, compared to this same point last year, which equates to savings that would fund a bridge replacement or highway paving project.

To date, ODOT District 1 Deputy Director Kirk Slusher notes that there have been just four weather events that ODOT crews have responded to, versus 12 events by this time last year. Last year was the worst winter in recent memory, with a total of $8.7 million spent in District 1 for snow and ice removal. The average for such spending is $4.1 million.

Statewide, ODOT has used 25,835 tons of salt so far this year, which is the lowest salt usage since 2006.

Nearly half of the money spent on snow and ice removal has gone to purchase deicing liquids, with $61,312 spent on that category, which includes Beet Heet, a sugar beet, molasses-based product that increases rock salt’s capacity below its 15-degree limit; Aqua Salina, a natural saltwater with a lower freeze point than regular brine; and Boost, an organic substance that, when added to calcium chloride, reduces the corrosiveness of that chemical substance, while also improving its anti-icing and deicing capability.

Van Wert County has spent $22,463 so far this year on snow and ice removal — the second highest total — including 11,662 gallons of deicing liquids. Hancock County has spent the most so far this year, $31,336, while Allen County is third with a total of $21,204.

ODOT District 1 comprises eight counties, including Van Wert, Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, and Wyandot.