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February 16, 2010

Pass the Salt

Crews have used tons of salt to battle heavy Tri-County snow

By Becky Manley and Carl Keith Greene / Staff Writers

As winter maintains its icy grip on the country, road crews throughout the Tri-County have spread hundreds of tons of salt and racked up overtime hours to keep roads clear.

After October’s cold snap, Whitley County officials ordered 400 tons of road salt — twice the normal amount, according to Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr.

On Monday, White said the county’s salt shed was running low but the county still has about 60 tons it can get from the state.

During a typical season, White said the county will use about 60 tons of road salt during an entire season.

“We’re very fortunate that we ordered double,” White said.

Corbin’s salt supply, which was running low Monday, should be replenished today, according to Harold Burke, the city’s public works director.

Corbin has used over 200 tons of salt already this season, Burke said.

While Knox County has only used about 100 tons of salt so far this season, it has been harder hit by overtime hours — especially when snow falls on the weekends, according to Knox Judge-Executive J.M. Hall.

Hall said Knox County spent $8,000 to $10,000 for overtime during the last snow.

Sam Moore, office manager at the Laurel County Road Department, said that department’s employees often work two shifts in a row to keep roads clear.

Burke said his department turned in about 35 hours of overtime for the two-week pay period that ended Friday.

“This year has really hit us hard,” Burke said.

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