Four storms in December are causing problems for county road workers who depend on salt to help clear roads and keep motorists traveling safely.
Road District One foreman Jim Thomas said Friday morning that the road districts are running low on salt and have been unable to replenish the supply.
As a result, road crews are salting at stop signs, bridges, railroad crossings and dangerous curves and not sanding entire roads as they have been. Motorists need to know about the problems and drive even more safely, Thomas said.
Each of the three road districts has over 100 miles of road to clear. It takes approximately 100 tons of salt to cover each district, according to Thomas.
Road crews were out three days in a row after the first winter storm hit. “You don’t just go over the roads once,” he said.
Cowley 3 causes the most headaches for road crews. They put the sand down, then people drive too fast and blow the sand off the road, Thomas said.
“What’s really crazy is when a car passes a snow plow or sand truck. How smart is that?”
County Engineer Dale Steward has been trying to purchase more sand. He’s told to call back in a few days, according to Thomas.
“Everybody wants a white Christmas and the roads cleared so they can go to grandma’s house. They don’t think about the people who have to deal with it.” Thomas said.
The long range weather forecast calls for very cold temperatures but doesn’t not call for any additional snow in the near future.
