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Salt Supplies Running Low Throughout the U.S.

Last updated on Thursday, February 6, 2014

(UNDATED) - This winter has been tough on city salt supplies across the U.S.

Parts of the Northeast are said to be running out and Indy is having a tough time as well.

Indianapolis Department of Public Works Spokesperson Lesley Gordon says the city started this winter with fully-stocked barns that hold 14,000 tons of salt, but to date has used 42,000 tons of salt on icy, snowy roads. Gordon says the city normally uses about 33,000 tons during the entire winter season.

Gordon notes that the city went into this week's storm with 5,500 tons on hand. She says that will be enough to get through the weekend.

The high demand means the city's usual salt vendor - Cargill - has been running low on supply. As a result, the city has gotten supplemental supplies from outside vendors in Ohio, Tennessee and Pennsylvania.

Gordon says the city doesn't use brine or sand on roads. She says the city doesn't have the sewer infrastructure to use sand without impacting the environment.

The DPW has spent more than $6.4 million so far this winter and about $2.9 million of that has gone toward salt alone.

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