Frozen Lake Michigan Delays Some Illinois Salt Shipments

Lake Michigan about 70 percent frozen

Illinois cities waiting for their salt shipments during this very cold and snowy winter are running into a headache because of frozen Lake Michigan.

With the lake about 70 percent frozen, cargo ships have had to navigate other ways to get the salt to the Chicago area.

The city of Orland Park is waiting for more salt that will now arrive by barge through the canals to Joliet, rather than at Calumet Harbor. The salt is also being shipped by rail.

Those in the snow plow and salting business say salt doesn't work on the snowy streets when the temperatures reach the single digits. There are other materials, of course, but they are very expensive.  

With all of the snow this winter, Orland Park has sent out plows 34 times so far this season.  

That's the same number for all of the 2012-2013 winter season.   
 

Contact Us