Supply of Salt Remains Strong on Delmarva Despite Severe Winter Storms

DELMARVA- As Delmarva braces for its second winter storm of the week, transportations agencies say their supplies of salt are ready for the challenge of pre-treating and cleaning roads for drivers.

“If you want to talk salt shortages 5 or 6 storms in a row then maybe, but were prepared and ready for this storm and we will be ready for the next one,” said Worcester County Public Works Director Dallas Baker.

Baker tells us the county had to use 7,200 gallons of brining to clear the roads after Monday’s storm, representing just under half of the county’s capacity of 16,000 gallons, but he says that can easily be replenished.

“We have the ability to make more brine 4,000 gallons at a time at our facilities it takes about 8 to 10 hours,” Baker said.

The Maryland State High Way Administration tells us Maryland’s 1st district counties saw 2,75 tons of rock salt deployed, out of a total of 350,000 tons available for the state of Maryland, 14,200 of which is designated for Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, and Somerset counties.

On the Delaware side, DelDOT Officials tell us they too are well prepared and well-stocked for more storms.

“We have used about 20 percent or but our stockpiles will certainly cover at least 4-5 significant statewide storms so no worries people should be at ease that we have plenty of salt on hand to cover this next storm,” said DelDOT PIO C.R. McCleod.

McCleod tells us weather conditions caused all those combating the snow to use extra salt this year, as slick roads and rain in the hours prior to snow prevented agencies from pre-treating the roads with brine. The lack of brine and wet conditions lead to a build-up of ice underneath the snow that requires a larger amount of salt to remove for road crews.

“Brining actually uses a lot less alt it takes less of the salt when mixed with water to cover the road surface so we have to use more rock salt when we don’t brine,” Mcleod said.

Both say they have standing contracts with suppliers of salt ready to fill orders in the events salt supplies run low, they say that a boost of salt if necessary would only take a few days.