CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
NEWS RELEASE
2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546
NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7456
FOR RELEASE: April 5, 2013
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062
FAX: (860) 594-3065
WEB SITE: www.ct.gov/dot

Project No. 50-217, Salt Storage Facility, CT Route 15, Exit 46, in Fairfield
The Connecticut Department of Transportation's (Department) Office of Engineering is developing plans for improving the Department’s existing winter storm operations site on Jefferson Street, adjacent to the northbound entrance ramp of Exit 46 of CT Route 15, in Fairfield, CT.   The purpose of this project is to construct an environmentally compliant salt storage building and to perform associated site improvements at the existing facility.
It is the Department's policy to keep the public informed and involved when such projects are undertaken.   It is important that the community share its concerns with us to assist in the projects development.  If there is adequate interest, an informational meeting will be conducted.  At this time, it is not anticipated that a formal public hearing will be necessary.
The project involves constructing a new salt storage building, which is planned to be similar appearance to the recently completed Milford (I-95, Exit 40) and New Canaan (CT Route 15, Exit 37) projects.  Site work will include providing a paved loading/operations area, a personnel shelter, calcium chloride tank, landscaping, site illumination and associated improvements.  The Department’s schedule to complete the final plans is September 2013.  The project will be 100 percent state funded.

This project is necessary because this site serves as the end point of snow plow routes that originate at three different maintenance garages; therefore, it is critical that a salt supply facility be located here.  The routes served by this facility, primarily the Merritt Parkway, are critical routes that carry heavy traffic loads.  If this site was not available, the plow trucks would have to spend additional time making return runs to other facilities to resupply, which could delay snow clearing operations, impacting traffic in the Town of Fairfield and this part of the state.

Anyone interested in receiving information on this project may do so by contacting  Mr. Robert C. Messina, Project Manager, at (860) 594-3305 or by e-mail at robert.messina@ct.gov. Please make reference to the Fairfield Salt Shed construction project, Project No. 50-217.