DelDOT tackles first winter storm after a costly 2014

From wet, to a coating of white, the first winter snow has hit Delmarva.

While the southern half of the Delmarva Peninsula just saw some flurries, up north was a completely different story

“I hope that it stays at worst like this,” says Timothy Conrad of Newark, Delaware.

After 2014 brought a brutal and costly winter for the peninsula, preparation is not being taken lightly. DelDOT crews spent all day on Monday applying brine to the roads, and continuously applied salt throughout the day on Tuesday.

With the snow coming in a little later in the season, officials say they are staying optimistic. At this point in 2014, they were already exceeding their $5 million budget for winter storms.

By the end of the season, they spent just over $18 million.

“Last year we spent far more than we had anticipated,” says Jim Westhoff, community relations officer with DelDOT. “We have a large general fund where we can get a great deal of money, so we’re not in jeopardy of running out of money.”

However, there are still concerns about running out of salt.

Last year, DelDOT used about 68,000 tons, to the tune of about $6.5 million. While Westhoff says the did not run out, reports say they were forced to turn down requests from other states in need due to a shortage in the Mid-Atlantic Region.

To prepare, Westhoff says they have already stockpiled just over 43,000 tons and are continuing to implement ways to be smart about their usage.

“We limit how much salt is applied when you stop at a stop sign, stoplight, or going around corners. Also, we’re coordinating with other drivers better so when we put the salt down, we don’t come by and plow it an hour later.”

Another major concern for DelDOT is the toll the winter storms take on their staff. Throughout 2014, staff members generated 79 days of overtime, but Westhoff says there is an upside to the hard work.

“If we can get through last year, we can get through this year.”