Mild winters leave Ind. cities with unused salt

Indiana

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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) — Two consecutive mild winters have left some north-central Indiana street departments with big piles of unused street salt.

The superintendents of both the Lafayette and West Lafayette street departments both say they have more salt on hand than they need. Lafayette street commissioner Dan Crowell tells the Journal & Courier his department is still using salt from last year's salt supply.

West Lafayette Street Superintendent Dave Downey says the city has received only about 6 inches of snow this winter.

While the salt reserves save taxpayers some money, West Lafayette and Lafayette still have to buy at least 80 percent of their contracted amount of salt.

And the mild winter has been disappointing for workers who haven't worked 12-hour shifts plowing and salting roads.