Road Salt Supply Low, Demand High As Winter Looms

DETROIT (AP) - The rewards for surviving last winter's punishing weather are tight supplies and drastic price increases for road salt across much of the U.S.

Local officials in several Midwestern states are facing prices that are twice what they were last season.

In some cases, the price is five times as much.

And that's only if they can get road salt.

Replenishing stockpiles is proving to be a challenge nationwide after so much salt was used last winter, when supplies were diminished by frigid weather and record snowfall.

From Boston to Raleigh, North Carolina, many cities are increasing their stocks by at least 20 percent.

But some local governments are avoiding the problem, thanks to previous contracts or secured bids, or simply being close to salt sources.

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