MONROE - The mild winter has been helpful for area road crews tasked with keeping roads clear of snow and ice.
Monroe streets department supervisor Tom Boll estimated that the city has used 400 to 500 tons of salt so far this year for the handful of winter weather events seen so far; the city normally uses between 1,000 to 1,300 tons per season, depending on the year's conditions.
The milder weather has also meant less labor costs, as plow drivers aren't working overtime to keep up with numerous snowfalls. Instead, workers have time for other chores generally reserved for rare downtime.
"In lieu of plowing snow, we've been clearing brush and cleaning up buildings," Boll said. "It's been good to check some things off the list."
Boll said those items do not usually get attended to until spring because workers are dealing with Wisconsin winters.
Green County is also saving money on winter road work. Patrol superintendent Dick Marti said the county has "absolutely" used less salt. Labor hours have been less, too, allowing workers to turn to other projects.
"We always have work to do," Marti said. "Tree cutting and fixing guard rails. We're not laying anybody off, but we've definitely had less overtime."
The only problem could be deciding where to put the excess salt the department may still have after the winter weather has receded. Marti said because salt has to be covered when stored, it could cause an issue if there is too much. But it could be too early to worry about that just yet - Marti cautioned there are several months of winter left that could put a halt to any savings.
In Lafayette County, highway commissioner Tom Jean anticipates the county will use roughly 2,500 tons of salt this year, half its usual amount.
"We certainly should have more left over for next year," Jean said.
Having more road salt at its disposal means the county will be able to contract for less when planning for next year. Jean also estimated that 60 to 70 percent less in overtime hours has been paid as well because of the lack of snow and freezing conditions.
"We're enjoying the mild winter," Jean said. "We've been able to get other projects done we normally wouldn't."
However, Jean said the consistent thaw and freezing of the roads could make asphalt conditions worse than after a winter with constant cold. The winter's effects on roads won't be known until after the spring thaw.
Monroe streets department supervisor Tom Boll estimated that the city has used 400 to 500 tons of salt so far this year for the handful of winter weather events seen so far; the city normally uses between 1,000 to 1,300 tons per season, depending on the year's conditions.
The milder weather has also meant less labor costs, as plow drivers aren't working overtime to keep up with numerous snowfalls. Instead, workers have time for other chores generally reserved for rare downtime.
"In lieu of plowing snow, we've been clearing brush and cleaning up buildings," Boll said. "It's been good to check some things off the list."
Boll said those items do not usually get attended to until spring because workers are dealing with Wisconsin winters.
Green County is also saving money on winter road work. Patrol superintendent Dick Marti said the county has "absolutely" used less salt. Labor hours have been less, too, allowing workers to turn to other projects.
"We always have work to do," Marti said. "Tree cutting and fixing guard rails. We're not laying anybody off, but we've definitely had less overtime."
The only problem could be deciding where to put the excess salt the department may still have after the winter weather has receded. Marti said because salt has to be covered when stored, it could cause an issue if there is too much. But it could be too early to worry about that just yet - Marti cautioned there are several months of winter left that could put a halt to any savings.
In Lafayette County, highway commissioner Tom Jean anticipates the county will use roughly 2,500 tons of salt this year, half its usual amount.
"We certainly should have more left over for next year," Jean said.
Having more road salt at its disposal means the county will be able to contract for less when planning for next year. Jean also estimated that 60 to 70 percent less in overtime hours has been paid as well because of the lack of snow and freezing conditions.
"We're enjoying the mild winter," Jean said. "We've been able to get other projects done we normally wouldn't."
However, Jean said the consistent thaw and freezing of the roads could make asphalt conditions worse than after a winter with constant cold. The winter's effects on roads won't be known until after the spring thaw.