Ohio anticipates saving $10M in road salt costs

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Ohio transportation officials project about $10 million savings in road salt costs for the state and local governments thanks to a change in salt contract bidding.

The Ohio Department of Transportation said Monday that it previously asked salt companies to bid on contracts on a county-by-county basis. The state gave companies the option this year of providing bids on entire state transportation districts in addition to individual counties. The agency says that will mean a statewide savings of about $13 per ton of salt.

The statewide average cost this year is $40.91 per ton of salt.

ODOT says local governments that let the state handle their bidding also will see savings.

The agency also expects to purchase less salt this coming winter because last year's mild winter left huge stockpiles.