Will salt shortages hit Rochester’s roads again? What local snow removal companies are preparing for this winter
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Snow removal companies and local officials are preparing for winter as road salt prices continue to rise and concerns about shortages remain.
“You’ve got gas prices that went up and you’ve got salt prices that are going up. We’re kind of holding it for now, but we’re going to wait and see what happens,” PJ Leccese said.
Stocking up
Leccese, who owns THM Property Maintenance, said his company has tripled its salt stores this year.
“Last year, we started with 100 tons and ran out in no time,” Leccese said. “Two years ago, it started falling apart where we couldn’t get anymore [salt] halfway through the season, and the price started double and triple. We were going out to Buffalo, Canada to get salt, and just couldn’t get it locally,” Leccese said.
Leccese said the price of rock salt has already doubled before the season even started, with individual bags increasing by $3-$4 each.
“Right now, we’re hoping that it doesn’t hit as hard as it has the last couple of years.”
Suppliers expect shortage
Gina Dandrea, managing director of Girl Plower, is also stocki...