With winter weather already making an appearance in eastern Kentucky, Rowan County officials are detailing the cost of salting roads and other preparations they’re making for the next few months. This comes as the Rowan County Road Department just finished their road patching and resurfacing for the year.
Steve Kelsey, Foreman of the Road Department, said it is important to have stored salt on hand.
“We probably got 200 ton at the old road department and then right now we got about 250 ton out to the new place,” Kelsey said.
More salt was scheduled to be delivered last week. Officials said the new salt barn is located at 120 Legion Way alongside other Rowan County services for improved coordination and efficiency.
At a recent meeting, County Magistrate Ray White asked Foreman Kelsey how much salt it actually takes to cover Rowan County.
“You mean if we salt county-wide? Approximately 110 to 120 tons,” said Kelsey.
Kelsey said each ton of salt costs around $112 and every round of salting costs roughly $15,000.
City officials said every winter snow and ice treatment also causes a significant amount of road damage in the range of around $100,000.
More information on salting and the Road Department is available at rcky.com.