BOISE, Idaho — Winter is approaching as the nation continues to see a shortage in supplies for road maintenance and workers. Specifically, there is a nationwide need for road salt supplies and plow drivers.
However, Ada County Highway District (ACHD) said they are prepared for the winter season.
”ACHD has a contract that met the pricing for last year's contract," ACHD Deputy Director of Maintenance Jennifer Berenger. "We are not going to see a price increase.”
The contract is set to be renewed next year around September.
"We'll take a look at all the options on the table and we'll make the best choice for the taxpayers," Berenger said. "Even if prices increase, then we request budget adjustments and might have to make changes here or there to balance the budget."
This winter, ACHD has the capacity to store 290,000 gallons of Magnesium Chloride, 7,500 tons of rock salt and 7,500 tons of sand and salt mix.
"Some other areas are purchasing a product that has Magnesium Chloride already mixed into their salt," Berenger said. "But with Ada County Highway District, since we have all of Ada County, we have a variety of climates that require a different tact on each level of road.”
To help cover the entire county, the materials will be managed by two facilities in Garden City and West Boise. Ada County is also preparing for the winter with 63 units, 44 plow drivers, and a total of 153 team members and on-call contractors ready to manage winter operations.
Although they are still on track, they are taking extra precautions and accepting applications.
"It's a great opportunity for people to advance into other positions in Ada County Highway District," Berenger said. "It creates openings, so we are constantly looking for people who could every aspect of operations."
Berenger wants to remind drivers not to pass snowplows on the right side and provide enough room on the road.
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