The Porter County Commissioners were scheduled Tuesday to open bids for road salt for this winter, but there was one big problem: No one submitted a bid.

County Highway Supervisor Al Hoagland said this is the first time that he’s aware of that the county didn’t get any salt bids. A number of municipalities in the region are facing the same dilemma.

Hoagland said the counties or municipalities that have gotten salt bids have seen the costs skyrocket. In Lake County, the bids came in at $110 per ton, up from the typical $34 or so per ton, he said.

Low supplies are being blamed for the refusal among suppliers to lock into a price. But Hoagland noted that just because no one has bid doesn’t mean they won’t sell the salt later.

Porter County has some salt stockpiled from last year and is looking into alternatives other than its customary untreated rock salt. But Hoagland said some alternatives are problematic, such as magnesium chloride, which can be corrosive to brakes on vehicles.

Hoagland said he’s not yet sure what will happen.

“I have confidence you guys are going to figure this out,” said County Commissioner President Robert Harper. Responded Hoagland: “Pray for good weather.”

Posted 8/20/2008