A shortage of road salt has caused the capital city to switch to spreading a mix of road salt and sand to address slippery road conditions.
Many drivers noticed the switchover yesterday after the region saw overnight snow and rain that resulted in snow and slush on the roads.
Harvey’s wharf in St. John’s is typically piled up with salt, but as of April 13, 2026, there’s little-to-none left (VOCM News)
The city says its supplier has run out of salt after what has proven to be a long and difficult winter, and using a mix of salt and sand will help to extend the city’s current stockpile for future storms.
While that’s a concern for some drivers, the city says using the mix actually costs less than salt alone.
City used an extra 10,000 tonnes of road salt this season
St. John’s Mayor Danny Breen says the city has used more salt this year – 40,000 tonnes compared to 30,000 tonnes in past years.
The price of salt also increased this year, adding to an already hefty winter maintenance budget.
“The cost to municipalities and to the provincial government is quite significant in snow clearing. Our total budget is somewhere in the range of $30 million, so it’s a lot of money out of a $326 million budget.”
He says staff ordered more salt, but it’s been a tough and challenging winter, with much more snow, and plenty of freeze / thaw cycles.
Sidewalk snow clearing on Kenmount Road (VOCM News)
City is doing more salting says Mayor
Breen told VOCM Open Line with guest host Darrin Bent that the city is doing more salting as well.
“When you look at the amount of sidewalk we’re now doing, and the multi-use trails that we’re clearing and salting, we, like every other jurisdiction, found ourselves getting down to the last bit here, so we’re taking some steps to address that so we can get through the winter.”
