KINGSPORT OFFICIALS HAVE LEARNED IT’S GOING TO BE A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE TO PURCHASE ROAD SALT THIS YEAR. IN FACT, FIGURES SUGGEST ROAD SALE WILL COST THREE TIMES WHAT IT DID LAST YEAR. THE REASON – A NATIONWIDE SHORTAGE OF ROAD SALT. SO, THE CITY OF KINGSPORT PLANS TO PAY NEARLY 250-THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR ROAD SALT FOR THIS WINTER AT A MEETING LAST WEEK. THE BOARD OF MAYOR AND ALDERMEN APPROVED THE PURCHASE OF 15-HUNDRED TONS OF ROAD SALT.THE COSTWAS $246,885 OR $164.59 A TON. KINGSPORT CURRENTLY HAS 13-HUNDRED TONS OF ROAD SALT ON HAND, WITH THE STORAGE FACILITY CAPABLE OF STORING 15-HUNDRED TONS.