https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/region-of-waterloo-to-pay-500k-more-for-winter-road-salt-in-next-budget-1.5361527

Draft budget sees an increase of $1.3 million in a total winter road maintenance spending

The Region of Waterloo is expecting to pay $500,000 more for road salt next year.

The region's draft budget shows an increase in spending for road salt, part of a $1.3 million overall increase to the winter road maintenance budget.

The proposed increase includes several winter maintenance items such as the cost of maintaining the separated cycling lane pilot network, the removal and disposal of built up snow that exceeds on-road storage and the cost of salt.

"We have seen an increase in the prices of salt [which is] somewhat substantial," said Emil Marion, the Manager of Transportation Operation for the Region of Waterloo. "The amounts have gone up based on the increased infrastructure [and] change in weather patterns requiring more salt unfortunately. "

The Region of Waterloo will be holding a number of public and online budget input sessions prior to the draft budget's approval. The first is set for Nov. 26.