A shortage of salt used to treat roadways has at least two West Hills communities scrambling to make the most of what they have as the first major snowstorm of 2026 rapidly approaches.
Forecasts call for snowfall to begin Saturday evening and continue into early Monday morning. A total snow accumulation of between 10 to 14 inches is predicted, and isolated locations could receive higher amounts.
Carnegie Borough noted in a social media post Friday that it is among the communities affected by an ongoing salt shortage in Allegheny County.
As a result of the shortage, Carnegie Mayor Sam Bigham said the borough will focus on salting sloped roads and major arterial roads.
“We will still plow every road,” Bigham wrote in a social media post.
A post on Carnegie Borough PA’s Facebook page said that although Public Works crews will be plowing and treating roads throughout the storm event, “roads will not remain clear at all times.”
Kennedy Township said in another social media post last week that it also was being impacted by the salt shortage and that it had 450 tons of salt on order, “some of which has been in and waiting since before Christmas.”
Township Manager Greg Clarke said Friday the availability – or lack thereof – of salt is a concern for all area municipalities. But he said Kennedy is in better shape than some because it makes its purchases through the state.
“As a result, our availability is a little better,” he said.
Clarke said as of Friday, the township’s salt shed is at about half capacity.
“That means we’ll probably put some salt down initially, but we won’t keep salting,” he said. “We’ll plow. That’s what most municipalities should be doing.”
Clarke said when the temperature drops below a certain threshold, about 15 degrees, salt is not effective. But the township’s full compliment of snow plows will be out along with a few extra pickup trucks equipped with plows. The crews will plow to a certain point and then apply salt.
“But we’ll try not to waste it,” he said.
Clarke said the township still hasn’t received all the salt that it ordered, but he said township officials have made arrangements to obtain about 100 tons of salt from another source.
“We want to make sure we don’t go without,” Clarke said.
Clarke also reminded Kennedy residents that vehicles cannot park on the street for any reason between Nov. 1 and March 31. Violators will be ticketed and/or towed. Residents also are not permitted to move snow or ice upon any street or sidewalk that could obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic or block access to any street, road or sidewalk.
“For years we’ve given warnings, but the same people don’t care and they park in the street,” he said. “We’re going to be serious about enforcing it.”
In McKees Rocks, Mayor David Flick declared a State of Emergency Friday, restricting parking to one side only on Marion, Holmes, Copeland, Wright, Mary, First and Second streets beginning 6 p.m. Saturday and running through 6 p.m. Monday to aid Public Works in the clearing and salting of roadways for safety.
Flick said vehicles found in violation will be subject to towing at the owners’ expense.
The borough also said that its four-member Public Works staff would be working around the clock once the storm moves in and would continuously monitor the road conditions. Main roads and hills will be the borough’s top priority, and officials reminded residents that snow plowing will be in high demand. Road salting will be considered secondary when appropriate.
A Robinson Township social media post reminded residents that vehicles should not be parked on township streets during inclement weather to allow for snow removal operations.
Crafton Borough officials reminded residents of snow emergency parking restrictions pertaining to Clearview, Elmwood, Harris, Keever and Oregon avenues as well as North Emily, Promenade and Sycamore streets. For complete ordinance details, visit: https://ecode360.com/30589537
Earlier Friday, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said that county departments are fully prepared to provide essential services during this weekend’s expected winter storm.
In addition not heavy snowfall, frigid temperatures and strong wind gusts are predicted, creating hazardous conditions for drivers and anyone outdoors. For that reason, the Department of Public Works and Allegheny County Emergency Services recommend that drivers stay at home, if possible, during and immediately after the storm.
Innamorato thanked the county employees who are preparing for the storm and those who will work around the clock to keep residents safe. She also stressed the importance of stocking up on basic needs in advance of the snow to minimize travel when the snow starts to accumulate.
“Let’s be prepared to stay safe and stay home whenever possible,” she said.
The salt shortage reports notwithstanding, the county said it has 5,689 tons of salt and 1,960 gallons of liquid calcium chloride in stock, which officials say will be enough for this storm.
If snow begins Saturday as expected, county Public Works will deploy 26 salt trucks and will continue operations until the storm ends and all 357 miles of county-maintained roads are clear and wet.
The department does not prioritize specific roads. Instead, drivers follow strategically designed routes that maximize speed and efficiency. Drivers will be working 12-hour shifts to ensure continuous coverage throughout the storm.
It typically takes about one to two hours for drivers to complete their routes and about an hour for them to return to the nearest maintenance garage, reload with salt, and restart their routes. So, during moderate to heavy snowfall, drivers should expect accumulation on county-maintained roads.
Allegheny County Emergency Services has activated its Emergency Operations Center to ensure rapid communication and coordination with the county’s 130 municipalities and their emergency management and public safety partners. The department also will be staffing additional telecommunications officers and dispatchers in the 9-1-1 center to properly handle increases in call volume during the storm.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission plan to implement vehicle restrictions across Pennsylvania’s Interstate network. The agencies are also advising drivers to watch weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel if possible and to exercise caution when driving.
Heavy snow is expected across the Commonwealth starting Saturday night, with snowfall rates of 1 inch to 2 inches per hour by Sunday afternoon. Temperatures will be very cold and are expected to remain below freezing across the state throughout next week.
Restrictions are planned for certain vehicles during the storm, and will be communicated via variable message boards, the 511PA traveler information website and smartphone apps.
The following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25, in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- ALL Pennsylvania interstates including:
- PA Turnpike I-76
- PA Turnpike I-70
- All PA Turnpike extensions.
- U.S. 15 from I-180 to the New York border.
- U.S. 22 from Route 66 to I-99.
- U.S. 22 from I-78 to the New Jersey border.
- U.S. 219 from U.S. 30 to U.S. 22.
- U.S. 220 from I-80 to I-180.
- U.S. 322 from Interstate 99 to I-81.
- Route 28 from I-279 to U.S. 422.
- The entire length of Route 33.
On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.
Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.
Later Friday afternoon, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a Proclamation of Disaster Emergency to make resources available to prepare for and support response efforts for the upcoming winter storm.
Shapiro said the disaster declaration would allow the Commonwealth to quickly draw down funding and provide state agencies with the resources needed to assist counties and municipalities with winter storm response efforts.
Duquesne Light Co. said Friday that it doesn’t anticipate widespread power outages, but extra crews are standing by to respond if needed. If an outage occurs, customers should report it via the DLC mobile app at duquesnelight.com or call 888-393-7100. Avoid downed power lines and report them to 888-393-7000.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/4q6YWJW
Be First to Comment