Rick Stuchal, Mercer Township supervisor and road crew member, stands in front of a stockpile of salt ready for the winter. The price of salt has increased by more than $20 a ton over last year. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

While the price of road salt has increased dramatically since last year, roadmasters in municipalities both large and small will be ready for any snowfall or ice Mother Nature has in store this winter.

Sam Ward, chairman of the Penn Township supervisors, said at the Tuesday evening meeting that salt prices have risen more than $20 per ton over last year.

In 2021, a ton of road salt cost $58. The current price is $79.

Mike Mattis, county manager at the state Department of Transportation’s District 10, said while the increase is sizable, last year’s prices were unusually low at $58 per ton.

“Last year was a big savings because of the decrease, but this year it’s going to cost us quite a bit more than last year if we use the same amount of salt,” Mattis said. “It’ll be a $500,000 increase.”

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