The Department of Transportation cites exceptional weather and the need for many de-icing applications to Island roads as the reason that the supply of road sand and salt is lower than projected.
Steve MacLean, Director of Highway Maintenance, reports that to date the Department and contractors have already applied as much sand and salt as can be expected to be applied in an average winter. Based on records from previous winters, the Department expects to do approximately 40 applications for de-icing. Supply and stockpile inventories of sand and salt are based on these 40 applications, plus an allowance in reserve.
Frequent storms with freezing rain and wet snow, followed by cold temperatures and high winds, have caused most routes to receive about 40 applications sand and or salt already. Because of these weather conditions, the Department is working from its reserves while making arrangements for further supplies.
Depending on the weather conditions for the remainder of the winter, the Department could spend as much as $500,000 more on de-icing materials than originally budgeted.
This situation is not unique to Prince Edward Island, in that Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are experiencing similar circumstances because of the unusual weather conditions throughout the Region.
However, the Department is expected to be able to meet the demands of the winter conditions by taking precautions regarding outside sales of salt and sand until inventory levels are adequately restored.