Valley towns face delays in road salt orders

Supervisors at road departments around the Mon Valley said it’s a waiting game right now for new salt delivery orders.

As Mon Valley communities face frigid temperatures and a possible major snowstorm this weekend, road departments are trying to conserve as much salt as possible.

In Rostraver Township, road Supervisor Thomas Godzak said they’re prepared for any upcoming storms, but added that they’ve had some difficulty maintaining their salt storage at appropriate levels this winter Godzak said as of right now, it’s a waiting game for their salt deliveries.

“(We’re in) the same situation as all the neighboring communities,” Godzak said. “We don’t know when the salt is going to show up. I haven’t been put on an official shortage notice from the supplier, but it’s definitely taken much longer to get the salt this year than in past years.”

Godzak said he typically tries to maintain 800 to 1,000 tons of salt for the township, but this year he has been unable to exceed 400 tons. He said he’s been ordering in 200-ton increments to maintain their salt storage.

According to Godzak, Rostraver has used around 500 tons of salt this winter, which he said has been average for the township. He reiterated that the main issue this winter is having to wait longer for salt orders.

“You just have to hold your breath and hope it comes sooner than you think it’s coming,” Godzak said.

Anthony DiCenzo, the West Mifflin Borough public works director, said that they’re facing similar issues.

“We have enough to sustain, but certainly are patiently and eagerly waiting for the delivery of what is owed to us sooner,” DiCenzo said. “The sooner that it can be delivered, the better, that’s for sure.”

According to DiCenzo, the borough has a capacity to hold over 1,500 tons of salt, but he said they currently have around half of their capacity. DiCenzo added that it’s been a busy season for them.

“It’s been pretty active compared to the previous couple of years we’ve had,” he said. “More snow and ice events up to this date than we’ve had in a while.”

Donora Street Supervisor Dean Fronzaglio stated that their salt orders have also been running behind. Fronzaglio said they have a smaller salt storage facility that can hold approximately 150 tons of salt.

Fronzaglio stated that despite delays, they’re well prepared for the next winter weather event. DiCenzo and Godzak shared a similar sentiment, stating that they have appropriate salt levels for any upcoming winter storm.

The Pittsburgh U.S. National Weather Service stated the region could see three possible scenarios for this weekend when it comes to winter weather. The first scenario outlined by the weather service shows a storm track staying south, leaving the region with minimal snow. The weather service said that the first scenario had a 20% chance of happening.

A second scenario that has a 50% chance of happening could have the region getting 1 to 6 inches of snow. A third scenario would involve the region getting 6 to 12 inches of snow, but the weather service stated that as of Tuesday, there was only a 30% chance of that happening.

“We’re going to do our best under the current conditions to maintain the same level of service that they’re used to,” DiCenzo said. “If we get into a situation where the salt is severely delayed, and we’re in a position where we don’t have enough to cover, we would certainly notify the residents. But right now, we feel comfortable and confident that we can handle what’s been forecasted.”

According to DiCenzo, West Mifflin maintains 74 miles of roadways in their area. Godzak said that Rostraver Township does around 120 lane miles of coverage, which includes some additional roads under a state winter maintenance program.

“We are prepared, all of our equipment is up and running well, and the workforce they understand that the way we’re going to operate is in conservation mode,” Godzak said. “Which we will always make sure the main arteries are open, intersections and steep hills, but we will probably try to conserve salt by not treating as often the housing plans, the flatter roads, and the not so public roads.

“Know that residents can continue to rely on our service. It will still continue to be a top-notch snow removal service. And if anybody has any questions or needs anything answered, they can feel free to reach out to us here at the township.”

In Glassport, Councilman Bob Miskanin said at Tuesday’s meeting that borough work crews have been keeping up with salting roads, but Borough Manager Elaine Skiba warned that a shortage could be possible soon.

“We received a notice from Compass Minerals whose supplies the borough their salt through South Hills Area Council of Governments (SHACOG),” Skiba said, “and unfortunately, due to the current demand and supply, it looks like we could be very low on salt in the very near future.”

Skiba added that many neighborhoods are in the same situation, saying, “It’s 19 communities, not just our COG.”

About 45 communities around Allegheny County are reporting similar issues.

“So if anyone notices that the roads aren’t being salted and plowed like they usually are, that is why,” Skiba said. “They are going to try to plow and salt the hills and main roads.”

Freelance writer Thomas Leturgey contributed to this story.