By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
It’s been a bad winter when it comes to road conditions.
So bad, in fact, that both the City of Burlington and Racine County are starting to ration use of salt.
With a shortage of salt statewide, City of Burlington Director of Public Works Craig Workman made an announcement at last week’s City Council meeting that the city would continue to do as many streets as possible – including the main streets and arterials – but some side streets may not be getting much salt for the rest of the winter.
The reason? The city has already gone through most of its initial salt purchase for the year.
This season, the City of Burlington purchased 865 tons of salt in its guaranteed fills, called “early fill” and “seasonal fill.” In addition, the city purchased 215 tons of reserve salt.
“The amounts are determined each year in April for the following snow season,” said Workman in an email. “The 865 tons is based on our 10-year average.”
The current state rate for the salt is $54.96 a ton, and to date, Burlington has used 920 tons of its 1080-ton allotment. Because of demand, though, the city cannot order more rock salt.
As a result, the city bought about 300 tons of a product called “Thawrox.” While more expensive than regular rock salt ($69.87 a ton), the Thawrox works at lower temperatures – definitely a plus with the record-setting bitter cold.
“In addition, Thawrox offers more effective performance using less overall product,” Workman added.
In using the Thawrox, the city is saving about 20-30 percent in applications per storm.
However, while the city has been able to purchase enough product, Workman warned residents that not every street will be treated.
“We continue to treat hills, intersections, and arterial roadways, but residents can expect some snow-packed conditions on sections of local roads,” Workman said.
The city is continuing liquid application of a “brine” solution produced at the wastewater treatment plant when conditions warrant it, Workman added.
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