Salt Prices Jump for Pittsburgh

A shortage of rock salt and an increase in fuel prices are leading to a 25% increase in what Pittsburgh is paying for road salt this year. Pittsburgh Public Works Director Guy Costa says if the region has a normal winter that will mean an extra $600,000 that will have to be added to his budget. He says he has already started to talk to the Mayor’s office about the need. Costa says to help conserve salt his crews will put out fewer salt boxes, increase the time between applications and make sure the spreading devices are well calibrated so no salt is wasted. Most of the salt used in Pittsburgh is shipped in from Louisiana.