RI state officials say they’re ready for winter

By News Staff

Reporting by Kainani Stevens & Samantha Fenlon

news@abc6.com

State officials have established Rhode Island’s first strategic salt reserve to prepare for this winter. The 20,000-ton reserve is located Warwick.   

Governor Gina Raimondo rolled out the new strategy Tuesday with the Department of Transportation, describing how they plan improve winter storm preps statewide following the massive snowfall totals from last winter.

This year’s budget is the same as last, but is instead being utilized to prepare ahead of the inclement weather, rather than after the snow arrives. The state also bought 13 new plow trucks to add to its fleet of 115 vehicles, and is hiring drivers by converting existing unfilled administrative positions within the transportation department to maintenance positions.

Raimondo said Tuesday that more salt, more plows and more drivers will help keep the roads and residents safe, and protect against national salt shortages.

"There’s no reason the government can’t do it better, faster, and cheaper than private plow companies can," said RIDOT Director, Peter Alviti.

The transportation department kept about 30,000 tons of salt in its inventory previously, enough for three average storms. It now has 50,000 tons.

The agency says it’s also using new technology so it can fill potholes during the winter for the first time.

© WLNE-TV 2015