Macomb County Approves $1.9M for New Salt Storage Facility as Extreme Winter Drains Supply

The Macomb County Board of Commissioners gave the green light to a $1.9 million contract with Frank Rewold & Sons. They'll construct a salt storage building at the Shelby Township maintenance service center. This structure will take the place of an old one that can't hold much.

Workers spread 51,000 tons of road salt by last week's end. That's more than what gets used in most years. The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index puts Detroit in the "extreme" category—the worst rating possible.

Roads Department spokesman Eric Dimoff said they've got around 16,000 tons left, with shipments coming. "While the weather can be unpredictable, we currently have enough salt on hand should Mother Nature throw any curveballs before spring," Dimoff said in an email, per Macomb Daily.

Schools can't buy salt from the department anymore. Stock is running low, and suppliers aren't keeping up. Officials need to protect what's left for county roads.

The old Shelby Township building still works, but it doesn't hold enough because it's falling apart. "The proposed salt storage facility will allow MCDR to enhance the efficiency of our winter maintenance operations," officials said.

Officials wanted timber at first, but changed their minds. Now they're getting a pre-engineered metal building with 11-and-a-half feet of poured concrete walls and a vapor barrier. Metal costs less, holds up better, comes with stronger guarantees, and goes up faster than wood.

The new building stretches 80 feet long and rises 160 feet high. Frank Rewold & Sons put in the lowest price for both types of construction. Work has to wrap up before this year ends.

The state pays 19% since they use some of the salt for state roads. County workers run more than 100 snowplows, salt trucks, and graders kept at service centers.

Three other service centers stock salt in Clinton Township, New Haven, and Washington Township. A fifth one runs in Warren.

The National Centers for Environmental Information and Purdue University keep tabs on the winter severity index. Workers scattered a small amount of salt this past weekend.