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Highway staff report heavy December operations; tens of thousands of gallons of brine used
Summary
Staff reported 22 active winter days in December with nearly 3,000 tons of salt on state roads and more than 50,000 gallons of state brine; committee praised crews and discussed early-season pothole and patching activity.
Dunn County highway staff told the committee on Jan. 7 that December’s winter response was unusually active and costly, with crews working 22 days to plow or apply anti-icing material.
Speaker 4, presenting the operations summary, said the county applied 2,977 tons of salt on state-designated roads, 4,471 tons of salt-sand on county roads and 296.5 tons of county salt. State brine usage was 50,912 gallons and county brine usage 17,801 gallons; the presenter also reported 12,835 gallons of a beet-based melting additive on state roads.
Committee members and residents praised crews for their response during freezing-rain events and early-season conditions. Discussion covered pothole and ramp repairs — staff reported two patch-buggy loads and additional half-ton patch-truck work on ramp 45 eastbound and plans for spray patching when temperatures allow.
Operational implications: staff confirmed overtime and weekend work rose during the holidays and noted that new hires have been trained to help keep routes serviced. The meeting also covered fuel and procurement logistics, including on-site tanks that hold 12,000 gallons (filled to about 80%, or roughly 10,000 gallons usable) and the department’s practice of soliciting delivery bids per fuel load.
Next steps: routine maintenance and pothole repairs continue; staff will monitor sand and salt inventories and report back as needed.
