Amid Road Salt Shortage, Ontario Adapts Winter Snow Strategies
Ontario is facing a critical shortage of road salt this winter, leading to municipalities and private contractors getting creative in combating ice and snow. The province has seen an unprecedented demand for salt, with harsh winter conditions and increased exports to the United States contributing to the scarcity.
Joe Salemi, Executive Director of Landscape Ontario, highlighted the challenges posed by the spike in snow events and the diversion of Canadian salt to the U.S. market. As a result, municipalities like Pickering and London are mixing salt with sand and adjusting snow removal operations to cope with limited salt supplies.
Cities such as Brockville and Barrie are feeling the pinch, with reduced salt availability affecting their winter maintenance efforts. Despite the challenges, officials are exploring alternative de-icing methods and planning for better salt storage for future winters.
The soaring price of rock salt has put additional pressure on private contractors, who are struggling to replenish their dwindling salt inventories. Salemi emphasized the importance of ensuring a steady salt supply to keep Ontarians safe during winter, calling for proactive measures to address the shortage.
While some areas are managing to secure sufficient salt, the ongoing winter conditions and logistical challenges continue to test the salt supply chain across the region. Despite the adversity, efforts are being made to meet the demand and keep road safety a top priority.
Keyphrase: Ontario road salt shortage