Lake Forest Rations Road Salt Supply

Lake Forest officials have decided not to salt residential side streets and as the city works to conserve what is left of its 2014 road salt supply.

As of Jan. 27, the city has plowed and salted 30 times, using more than 2,734 tons of salt, officials said. By this time last year, the city had used only 493 tons of salt after plowing and salting 13 times. Fewer than 550 tons of salt remain available to the city through from its order through the state bidding process.

“Anticipating more of the same throughout February and March, the City is taking proactive measures to conserve its supply of salt, which is becoming more scarce and more pricey as winter weather continues,” Lake Forest officials said in a statement issued Monday.

“In order to conserve the City’s salt supply, the City will only salt main streets, hills, curves, intersections, and parking lots after the snow has stopped falling; residential side streets will not be salted. The Public Works staff has been and will continue to try and find available salt throughout the region,” the statement said.

Snow plowing service will not be affected. 

Questions may be directed to Donna Dunn in the Public Works Department at (847) 810-3542 or dunnd@cityoflakeforest.com.