Winter is almost officially here, and ODOT is doing something different that should lead to big savings as they try to keep the roads clear of snow and ice.
These are savings of around ten million dollars, according to their estimates.
ODOT District 2 works hard to keep 3,500 miles of road free of snow and ice in Northwest Ohio.They put your tax dollars to work as they battle mother nature every winter. Last winter, nature didn't put up much of a fight, with only 20.8" of snow in Toledo. Because we didn't see so much snow last year, ODOT says they have a massive stockpile of 209,000 tons of salt left over from last year. That gives ODOT a major head-start this winter, but the massive savings of around ten million dollars are actually coming from something different.
In the past, salt companies bid on contracts on a county-by-county basis. Instead of county-by-county orders, the salt is now purchased by district. In District 2's case, this combines the buying power of eight counties.
Theresa Pollick, the Public Information Officer for ODOT's District Two explained, "Many shoppers out there shop in bulk, and sometimes you'll get a better price for the commodity. In this case, we're talking about salt. We've been able to do that by purchasing larger quantities through the districts, and we have 12 of them, and that's added up to a lot of savings for everybody - including the taxpayers."
The millions of dollars saved are still used by ODOT. ODOT says the extra money is then spent on things like equipment maintenance, and purchasing more cost-effective vehicles.
The end result leaves ODOT saying they're especially prepared to face Old Man Winter, this year.
ODOT says they are pre-treating some of the bridges and overpasses this evening, as snow showers could make a few areas slick.
They also remind motorists, "in ice and snow, take it slow", especially this December, since it has been about nine months since we've dealt with winter driving.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 1:54 PM EDT2013-05-21 17:54:25 GMT
Portions of Moore, Oklahoma were ravaged by a mile-wide tornado this Monday afternoon. This follows a near-record quiet start to tornado season. Strong storms may reach northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan by Tuesday.
Recovery efforts continue in Moore, Oklahoma after a catastrophic tornado on Monday. The tornado season that began quietly in 2013 has roared to life this week. Severe weather is possible in Northwest Ohio on Tuesday and Wednesday. 13abc and 13abc.com will update throughout the day.
Monday, May 20 2013 11:15 PM EDT2013-05-21 03:15:43 GMT
Thousands of shipwrecks rest close to home and some local divers are on a mission to discover them. The weather on Lake Erie can be violent at times without much warning. Darkness, fog, wind and waves
Local divers are on a search to discover some of the thousands of shipwrecks on the bottom of Lake Erie.
Monday, May 20 2013 3:51 PM EDT2013-05-20 19:51:10 GMT
On Monday, we'll likely climb to 88 degrees. If we reach 88 on Monday, it would become our warmest day since August 31st, when we reached 93 degrees. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962.
Monday was the warmest day of the year. The temperature hit 90 degrees at Toledo Express Airport at mid afternoon. That is the warmest day since August 31st of last year. Toledo reached 93 degrees on that date. Monday's record high is 92 degrees, from May 20th of 1962. Get Toledo's only live, local radar 24/7 at 13abc.com/weather.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 05:30:17 GMT
NB I-75 shut down north of Cygnet due to accident involving school bus
Around two dozen people were injured Tuesday night in a bus crash on I-75. It happened around 10:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75, just north of the Cygnet exit
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:11:02 GMT
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:32:52 GMT
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us to this year's winner…Robin Chlebowski!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:10:38 GMT
More jobs may be on the way at the old Jeep plant. One company has announced it will open business there and others are now interested in the site. At one time, 40,000 people worked at the site just
The 111-acre Overland Industrial park broke ground on a new road that will lead to construction of buildings to house new businesses.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 1:30 AM EDT2013-05-22 05:30:17 GMT
NB I-75 shut down north of Cygnet due to accident involving school bus
Around two dozen people were injured Tuesday night in a bus crash on I-75. It happened around 10:30 p.m. in the northbound lanes of I-75, just north of the Cygnet exit
Tuesday, May 21 2013 11:11 PM EDT2013-05-22 03:11:02 GMT
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Imagine picking up the phone to hear your grandchild is in trouble. You're told not to tell any other family members, and send cash right away. Chances are, it's a crook trying to pull the 'Grandma Scam'.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:22 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:22:27 GMT
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit the families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Relatives of three teenagers killed in an Ohio school shooting are suing a charity that maintains a fund set up to benefit victims' families and support the well-being of students and others in the affected community.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:08 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:08:56 GMT
A Toledo family who moved to Moore less than a year ago only had minutes to take cover. "Its devastation buildings are ripped down families lost their homes houses are flattened." It's been a difficult
A local woman who moved to Moore Oklahoma almost a year ago survives a deadly tornado. 21 year old Kristina Legree says the twister touched down a mile for her home.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:18 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:18:53 GMT
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside
A suspended TPS teacher charged with receiving, distributing and possessing child pornography has pleaded guilty to receiving child porn on his home computer. Bruce Omlor, 49, was suspended from Riverside Elementary earlier this year.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:11:44 GMT
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness. Little
A Lucas County sheriff's deputy was arrested Tuesday. Deputy Paul Little was charged with filing false reports, unlawful transfer of a firearm to a convicted felon, and intimidation of a witness.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:32 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:32:52 GMT
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us
We've been following their journeys since the fall: 170 contestants fighting for the title of Extreme Weight Loss Champion. Now it's time for the crowning moment! 13abc's Kelly Heidbreder introduces us to this year's winner…Robin Chlebowski!
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:31 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:31:44 GMT
EVENING NEWS HEADLINES - MAY 21, 2013 ARSON FIRES Toledo fire investigators are looking into a series of fires in the city. Crews responded to four fires within about an hour of each other today. The
Toledo fire investigators looking into a series of fires in the city; Lucas County sheriff's deputy behind bars tonight.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:20 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:20:37 GMT
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
If a tornado threatens, get into the basement. If you don't have a basement, a small, interior room in the lowest floor of your home is relatively safe. Avoid rooms with windows. Mobile homes are not safe in a tornado.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:10 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:10:38 GMT
More jobs may be on the way at the old Jeep plant. One company has announced it will open business there and others are now interested in the site. At one time, 40,000 people worked at the site just
The 111-acre Overland Industrial park broke ground on a new road that will lead to construction of buildings to house new businesses.
Click for a bigger picture! Veteran's Glass City Skyway Maumee River Cedar Point Archbold Spring Meadows Airport Hwy at I-475W I-475 at SR 25 I-475 at US 23 I-475 at Corey Rd SR 795 at
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