PIKEVILLE, Ky. – As weather turns colder and ice snow storms imminently loom, the Pike County Government has already met about its winter road plan and is ready to implement said plan at any time.

A nationwide shortage of salt two years ago wreaked havoc on counties’ finances and driving conditions – especially in counties with lots of rural roads – and Pike County was no exception.

“It is important people know we have plenty of salt in the event of a winter storm,” Pike County Judge-Executive Wayne T. Rutherford said. “In past years we have suffered from a shortage of salt, but the shortages have leveled off. We are confident that, with the state’s assistance, we are ready for the snow.”

In previous years if Pike County exceeded its allotment of salt the price per ton doubled, but Pike County Purchasing Director Frankie Stacy said that is not true this year.

According to Stacy, we are obligated to 1,500 tons at $78.79 per ton, which is a .77 cent increase from last year’s price, but well below the usual two- to three-dollar increase per year. Stacy also said the company with which Pike County has contracted has agreed to sell additional tons of salt at no price increase, if it is available.

“The company with which we have a contract is very helpful,” Stacy said. “We could have been stuck without any salt or have to pay a price increase for additional tons, but we don’t.”

Pike County Road Commissioner Frank Hatcher said the biggest obstacle involved in salting roads in a county with so many winding, rural roads is finding a place for the trucks to turn around.

“Narrow roads seem to be our biggest problem,” Hatcher said. “But we are ready with our salters and we have our blades on our vehicles. We are in good shape.”