Cambridge maximizes salt supply to deal with region-wide shortage

Along with other municipalities throughout Ontario, the Waterloo Region is currently feeling the effects of a restricted salt supply. The main cause of this shortage is due to a strike at our supplier’s primary salt mine in Goderich this past summer.

In response to this, the City of Cambridge worked to stock extra supplies in the fall in preparation for the winter. However, with multiple freezing events over the past few weeks, a great deal of salt has been used this season and we are working to secure additional supply.

In the meantime, we have prioritized salt supplies to ensure main roads and bus routes receive adequate salt coverage during the forecasted freezing rain this evening and subsequent weather events.

Resources are being maximized to utilize different winter road treatment techniques depending on the type of road. Residential back roads will continue to be treated with sand.

Given the icy conditions and low salt supply in the region, we recognize that asking residents to achieve bare-pavement on sidewalks outside their homes may be difficult. If it is clear that the issue with a sidewalk is related to a build-up of ice and an effort has been made to deal with the situation, bylaw officers will use discretion in enforcing the bylaw.

Sand is located throughout the city to assist with localized ice maintenance. These sandboxes are located near hills and in some neighbourhoods.

For more information on clearing and road priorities, visit www.cambridge.ca/winter.