Iowa Department of Transportation officials are asking legislators to help ensure their dwindling stockpile of road salt is properly replenished. Lee Wilkinson is a top administrator for the Iowa D-O-T.
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The D-O-T has “salt sheds” placed around the state, so road crews can deal with hazardous highway conditions. It’s time to start buying salt now that prices are low and fill those sheds rather than buy salt in late fall when it’s more expensive. Wilkinson says the D-O-T needs about nine million dollars extra now to jump start that process, as the agency fell behind in buying salt last summer.
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A Senate committee has unanimously approved the D-O-T’s request for more salt money. The proposal must clear several more legislative hurdles and be approved by the governor before the D-O-T can start signing salt contracts.