Politics & Government

Heavy Snowfalls Taking Toll on University City Budget, Salt Supplies

City manager says the city already has used 200 more tons of salt than normal to combat ice and snow.

Including Thursday night’s one-inch dusting, the area has already exceeded its average snowfall for the winter by more than two inches, according to the National Weather Service.

The area has had 28.2 inches of snow including Thursday night’s dusting of one inch. The average St. Louis area snowfall for the winter season is 26 inches.

Throw in a few periods of freezing rain, much of which washed salt treatments down the storm drains, and the cost of plowing and treating streets for snow and ice adds up for University City.

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“The harsh winter has been hard on the University City budget,” said City Manager Lehman Walker.

“Usually, we use 600 tons of salt,” Walker said. “This year, we’ve already used 800 tons. So the snow is really impacting us.”

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He said at the beginning of the year, salt went for $45 per ton. Now, due to dwindling supplies, salt is going for $100 per ton.

“We’ve done what we can to keep the city streets clean and safe for those who travel on University City streets,” Walker said.

City officials still are reviewing expenses related to snow removal, so he didn’t have the full cost of the snow removal efforts, he said. Those costs could include paying overtime for street crews, maintenance and fuel in addition to the cost of salt and other material.

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) also has felt the impact of a harsh winter.

MoDOT officials said the cost to clean up after the state's historic snowstorm three weeks ago is estimated at $7.7 million. That figure includes labor, equipment and materials.

More than 2,500 employees and 1,600 pieces of equipment were used to clear the state's 33,000-mile highway system, according to a MoDOT news release.

Workers put in more than 90,000 hours and used in excess of 30,000 tons of salt and other abrasive materials to treat state roads and bridges. Snowplows logged 1.1 million miles.

MoDOT maintenance crews also helped open 1,200 miles of county roadways in 16 counties at the request of Gov. Jay Nixon.

Still, MoDOT officials say the department has stored plenty of salt and other supplies for the winter.


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