GPI Receives American Public Works Association Capital Branch Project of the Year Award for the Salisbury Salt Barn Project in the Small Cities/Rural Communities – Disaster or Emergency Construction Category
Albany, NY—Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. (GPI) has received the American Public Works Association (APWA) Capital Branch Project of the Year Award for the Salisbury Salt Barn Project in the Small Cities/Rural Communities – Disaster or Emergency Construction Category.
The award is presented for a project that has had a positive impact on a community with a population of 50,000 or less. The project was selected for its exceptional demonstration of innovation, resilience, sustainability, and community-focused public works excellence following a major natural disaster.
The project originated in response to the 2019 Halloween Storm, which caused severe damage to Cemetery Road and adjacent streambanks in the Town of Salisbury, NY. Rather than reconstructing a vulnerable roadway segment, the Town worked closely with its engineering partners and pursued a FEMA-approved Alternate Project that redirected disaster relief funding toward infrastructure, providing greater, long-term benefit to the community: a modern salt storage facility and a new heavy-duty plow truck.
Serving a population of approximately 1,800 residents across 107 square miles, the Town of Salisbury operates in one of New York State’s most demanding snowbelt regions, receiving up to 140 inches of snowfall annually. The new salt barn dramatically improves the Town’s ability to maintain safe roadways during severe winter conditions, enhancing safety for motorists, pedestrians, and emergency responders.
The project met APWA’s emergency construction criteria by addressing urgent operational needs created by a disaster while delivering infrastructure that strengthens resilience well beyond the immediate recovery period.
The salt barn itself exemplifies engineering excellence and sustainability. Designed in accordance with the 2020 New York State Building Code, the structure features a rigid steel frame with a heavy-duty tension fabric cover engineered for extreme snow loads and corrosive salt environments. A deep drilled-shaft foundation system was selected to overcome poor subsurface conditions and a high groundwater table, ensuring long-term structural stability.
Environmental protection was a central design priority. The project incorporated precast concrete bunker walls with integral corrosion inhibitors, waterproofing systems to prevent chloride migration, and asphalt and concrete floor assemblies designed to protect groundwater and surrounding wetlands.
These measures reflect a strong commitment to environmental preservation and sustainable public works practices, a key consideration in APWA award selection.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact:
Jessica Ciccarelli
Greenman-Pedersen, Inc.
813.838.3202
jciccarelli@gpinet.com
