Road Salt

Last winter was treacherous and so were the icy roads. Parts of the U.S. didn't even have enough road salt to cover every major highway. Several accidents were reported in the tri-state area.

USA Today reported in 2008 cities trying to stock up on road salt before snow came. With the cost of transportation and demand for salt high, and supply low, the report said the cost of a ton of road salt had doubled, and in some places tripled.

West Virginia experienced a shortage like many other states. Bob Whipp, district six engineer, said his company used to salt roads in Wheeling, W.Va., twice to speed up the melting process. However, last November his company only used the minimun amount recommended by the American Salt Institute.

The new stories about the shortage of salt are compelling enough, but why was there such a shortage? That's just what I'll ask the Salt Institute. Check back to find out.