Northeast Ohio cities are facing a rock salt shortage during the peak of winter, forcing crews to focus on main roads and get creative with limited supplies. Cleveland Heights and University Heights are among the communities struggling to keep roads safe amid heavy snowfall.
Salt storage facilities that normally hold hundreds of tons are nearly empty. Plow drivers and city officials say high demand, supply chain issues, and production delays are making it difficult to replenish stocks.
Dennis Pitts, a plow driver for University Heights for 21 years, explained the approach: “We do sensible salting, which is the main streets, intersections, and hills.” Limited salt supplies mean side streets may remain untreated longer, posing challenges for residents and drivers.
This winter in Northeast Ohio arrived early and has brought heavier snowfall than usual. University Heights’ salt garage is almost empty, and although the city has an order placed with Cargill Salt Group, officials are uncertain when it will arrive. Pitts said, “When this is usually full, it’s like 250 tons — but we also get our salt from Cleveland Heights. They’re limiting everybody. All of the cities and ODOT are getting their salt — just depends on how long it takes to get here.”
Cleveland Heights also confirmed the strain on supplies. While they were able to lend some salt to University Heights, they also borrowed 150 tons from another city to meet immediate needs. Both cities are prioritizing main roads, hills, and intersections to ensure safety during the heaviest snowfalls.
Side streets are feeling the impact most. A full-time Lyft driver said navigating residential areas has been difficult. “It was actually harder for me to even maneuver and get out of people’s driveways because the roads were just so packed. We haven’t had that bad a winter for years in Cleveland, so that might have been a reason too,” she said.
The shortage stems from more than just high demand. Suppliers point to supply chain delays, labor shortages, and production problems in salt mines, including flooding, which limits available stock.
City officials emphasize that the shortage is out of their hands. Pitts said residents often call about untreated streets, but crews can only do so much. “Do you get a lot of calls about residential streets — people upset? You will. But nothing you can do,” he said.
Plow drivers are asking the public to stay patient while crews work with the limited resources they have. “Be patient. That’s all you can do,” Pitts said.
For now, Northeast Ohio cities are managing the shortage by prioritizing the most critical areas and coordinating with neighboring communities. Residents are advised to drive carefully, allow extra travel time, and stay informed about road conditions as the winter season continues.
