Ice storm cost county $1.2 million

The recent ice storms were dangerous, destructive and very expensive for Bloomington and Monroe County, officials said.

An estimated $1.2 million was spent to clear roads in Bloomington and Monroe County this winter — $755,000 more than the county has ever spent on snow removal — according to a statement by Monroe County highway superintendent John Chambers.

In Bloomington, about $694,000 was spent to clear city streets, and Monroe County spent a total of $569,000 to keep roads accessible during the heavy snow and icefall.

Most of the total money spent throughout Monroe County and Bloomington — $947,309 — was used to purchase salt and sand for roads, county officials said. Any leftover funds went to the payment of road crews and fuel and equipment costs.

Susie Johnson, director of public works for the city of Bloomington, said the city spent about half of its winter snow removal funds in 2010, which allotted for more to be spent on road weatherization during 2011.