Its that time of year again when the snow falls and the roads become covered in ice. Macomb always seems to struggle at properly getting roads, parking lots, and sidewalks cleared and salted. This can cause people to get injuries that might be avoidable if they were taken care of properly.
Last Macomb did not have enough salt for the winter which is part of the reason that the roads were not properly cleared. This year might be worse due to the fact that the whole state of Illinois is finding its self in a shortage. There is not a shortage because the material is not there, it's because of how the state did biding for salt purchase. The price for salt has tripled in price since last year. There were three bids one at $60 one at $90 and one $140. The state closed biding on the $60 and $90 dollar bids before they should have so most of the state had to pay $140 per ton. Places in the suburbs could not afford the normal amount of salt they use in a winter. So if you they cannot afford it how will Macomb?
When trying to contact Macomb on the situation no one really wanted to talk about the subject. Now that we have had our first snow the public has a better idea of how they are going to handle the situation. They are saving the salt and using sand for right now. By using sand it doesn't get rid of the snow and ice but it does allow some type of traction. It is not just sand it is also mixed to other things that help break down some of the salt. Joseph V. Jedlovec who is in charge of the roads for Winfield Township explained that "The sand has been mixed with calcium chloride in the past but this year the sand is being mixed with beet juice."
