Kane County ensures salty roads for winter

A thousand tons of road salt are on their way to Kane County under an emergency purchase approved by the county board Wednesday, but transportation officials are still looking for more.

A snowier than usual winter has resulted in the dispersal of more than 15,000 tons of salt so far this season by the county's division of transportation. KDOT crews typically use 10,000 tons per winter.

KDOT officials, who have responded to 56 winter snowstorms so far, expect to respond to at least 15 more before spring. That's much higher than Kane County's typical 42 per season.

"We're not expecting winter to let up anytime soon," said Tom Rickert, KDOT deputy director.

The county board authorized KDOT to spend an additional $300,000 on salt this season. That total includes the 1,000 tons from Cargill for $82,000.

The company is expected to deliver the salt over the next few days, Rickert said, but officials still need a few thousand more tons.

"If we have a (price) quote come in on Friday that we're able to move on, we will continue to acquire the amount of salt that is necessary to maintain the safety of the motoring public," Rickert said.

Rickert and other local leaders are contending with short salt supplies not only because of the increased demand, but also because of a delivery backlog caused partly by salt barges frozen on the Illinois River.

KDOT and other local crews are using a mixture of salt and sand to stretch supplies.

More salt, please

The Kane County Board on Wednesday authorized an emergency allocation of $300,000 to purchase more road salt during this extra-snowy winter. The Kane County Division of Transportation is responsible for maintaining 310 miles of road, including:

• Randall Road

• Kirk Road

• Huntley Road

• Big Timber Road

• Plank Road

• Orchard Road (part of)

Source: Kane County Division of Transportation