The severity of this winter is anyone’s guess, but one thing’s for sure: road salt will cost a lot more for Michigan road agencies battling the snow and ice.

Last winter, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and other road agencies buying salt through the MiDEAL purchasing program paid an average price of $44.99 per ton. This year, the average price is $65.81 per ton, an increase of more than 46 percent.

The City of Niles is one agency using the state’s salt purchasing system.

Public Works Director Joe Ray said the street department plans to use less salt to make up for the spike in price.

The city typically drops 300 pounds of salt per lane mile, but Ray said workers would likely reduce that amount to 200 pounds.

“We will get the same results, but it will take longer for it to work,” Ray said.

That means city workers will need to keep an even closer eye on weather forecasts and stay in close communication with those traveling the roads — like police officers — to know exactly what conditions are like.

“We need to be more aware of our surroundings,” Ray said. “It is a difficult thing to juggle. We want to watch costs, but our priority is to keep the roads safe.”

Niles committed to buying 1,000 tons of salt through the MiDEAL purchasing service in March without knowing the cost. Ray said that is typical of the many municipalities that use the service.

Last year, the city paid $49.75 a ton and used 1,150 tons.

This year, Niles will be paying $17.40 more per ton, resulting in an increase of more than $17,000 in salt costs when compared to a year ago.

Although Niles committed to purchasing 1,000 tons, the state allows agencies to acquire 30 percent more or 30 percent less salt than their commitment.

Ray said the city uses an average of 1,200 tons of salt per winter.