STATE SEEKING COMMENTS ON PLANS FOR SALT SHED

First Selectman Mike Tetreau announced that the Town of Fairfield encourages the public to provide input to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) on a state project to rehabilitate a salt shed located on Jefferson Street, adjacent to the northbound entrance ramp of exit 46 of the Merritt Parkway.   Major written comments are due by Monday, July 29, 2013.

Major written comments can be sent by email to robert.messina@ct.gov or by mail to:

Mr. Robert C. Messina

Supervising Engineer

Facilities Design

Bureau of Engineering and Construction

Connecticut Department of Transportation

P.O. Box 317546

Newington, CT 06131-7546

A copy of the design plans are available on the homepage of the Town’s website, www.fairfieldct.org, or they can be obtained in the Town’s Engineering Department, which is located on the first floor of Independence Hall, 725 Old Post Road.

First Selectman Mike Tetreau said, “In an effort to make sure everyone in the community, especially those living near the site, has the opportunity to comment on this project, the Town suggests residents send major comments on the plans to the ConnDOT by July 29, 2013.”   The State can receive relatively minor comments after that time, up to about mid-August. 

The present project schedule indicates the design would be completed in the fall 2013 with an anticipated construction start date in spring 2014 and completion in early autumn 2014, prior to the winter season.

The purpose of this state project is to rehabilitate the existing salt shed site.  The site serves as the end point of snow plow routes that originate at three different maintenance garages.   The routes served by this site 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.   The rehabilitation is required to upgrade the existing site to comply with current environmental regulations and to improve safety and operational efficiency.  The rehabilitation will consist of a new salt shed, associated site, drainage and landscaping improvements.

The DOT is proposing to demolish the existing shed and build a new one centrally located within the state-owned parcel of land adjacent to the Parkway.   The dimensions of the new shed will be 96’L x 45’W x 35’H.  DOT’s intent is to increase the wooded buffer near adjacent homes.  DOT has offered to work with any neighbor who may be impacted by DOT’s removal and replanting of vegetation.      

On July 15, 2013, the DOT held a public information meeting.  Minutes of that meeting will be available in about a week by going to www.ctgov/dot.