Rock salt shortage could impact local road conditions

WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – A nationwide rock salt shortage could leave Massachusetts with icy and snowy roads.

Road salt demand is extremely high across the country, leaving local authorities in Massachusetts struggling to keep the roads clear.

Springfield seeks more funds for road repairs

The northeast is bracing for another round of winter weather on Wednesday, which would be the third snow event in less than 10 days. This comes as salt suppliers are facing high demand across the country. 22News spoke with Trevor Wood at West Springfield DPW to understand why demand is so high.

“These little one-inch, two-inch snowstorms take a toll on the salt,” Wood said. “If you’re having four or five-inch snowstorms, you’re just plowing. These two-inch storms are just knocking it down with salt, so that’s why it’s just taking so much.”

700 tons of salt for a town like West Springfield may only last one or two snowstorms. West Springfield started pre-treating roads with liquid ice melt to combat the high salt demand. Even with these precautions, some areas have resorted to outside help.

“We’re just kind of calling contractors in just to plow all the snow off, even if it is two inches, and then we’ll salt after the fact,” Wood said. “This time of year we’re kind of just letting the snow kind of snow first.”

If winter storms keep hitting areas that are ill-equipped, like Florida and Texas, salt demand could stay high through the winter.

If you’re unable to find regular road salt in your area, some people are using water-softener salt to keep ice and snow off their driveways.