According to a spokesperson for The Missouri Transportation Department, a national salt decline will not be a problem for Missourians traveling on icy roads this winter.

Intro: According to a spokesperson for The Missouri Transportation Department, a national salt decline will not be a problem for Missourians traveling on icy roads this winter.

Christine Slusser has more from the state Capitol.

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Lead weather predictors have conflicting reports on Missouri's next winterly season.

Regardless of the amount of potential snowfall, Laura Holloway, the Community Relations Coordinator for The Missouri Department of Transportation, proclaims that while there is a national shortage of salt, the roads wont be slippery this winter.

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Description: "The shortages that people are experiencing right now are largely due to a harsh winter last year, and that coupled with the strong hurricanes that occurred later in the summer affecting river levels and, therefore, the salt that is delivered by river barges."

Holloway says The Transportation Department bid on salt from suppliers early and will not be effected by the decrease.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Slusser.

Intro: While not a flake of snow has fallen in Missouri, a spokesperson for The Missouri Transportation Department says they have the roads covered despite the national salt decline.

Christine Slusser has more from the state Capitol.

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The Missouri Transportation Department spokesperson Laura Holloway says the department bid on their salt supply early and will not be effected by the national salt decline.

However if a lot of snow is coating the roads, the amount of salt needed goes up.

MU weather scientist Tony Lupo says the Climate Prediction Center in Washington, D.C., and another leading predictor are going head to head about the possible amount of snowfall for Missouri.

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Description: "The opposing point of view comes from the Farmer's Almanac who predicts a colder than normal winter, especially for most of the eastern part of the United States. Last time it happened that the experts and the Almanac disagreed, the Almanac won."

A Transportation Department spokesperson says regardless of the amount of snow, they will have plenty of salt to keep the roads in good driving condition.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Slusser.

Intro: The Missouri Department of Transportation spokesperson says the national salt decrease caused by hurricanes and a harsh winter will not be a problem as you drive on icy roads.

Christine Slusser has more from the state Capitol.

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OutCue: SOC

The Missouri Transportation Department bid on their salt supplies earlier this year and will not be effected by the shortage sweeping the nation.

Community Relations Coordinator for the Missouri Transportation Department, Laura Holloway, says even though they have piles of salt there is still a certain system to disperse it on the roads.

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Description: "They will handle roads on a high traffic volume or priority basis. There is a priority system of routes to determine which roadways are cleared first in order to get the traffic moving as quickly as possible."

Holloway says the Transportation Department has a contract that assures they will continue to pay a set price for salt despite the shortage.

From the state Capitol, I'm Christine Slusser.