Town of Salisbury Salisbury Salt Barn

The Town utilized the $1.9M disaster relief funding from FEMA to reprogram the funding into an alternate project, delivered in two critical assets: a new heavy-duty salt barn designed for long-term durability and environmental protection, and a fully equipped plow truck to strengthen the Town’s winter maintenance fleet. Together, these investments significantly improve roadway safety for residents, emergency responders, and visitors throughout the winter season.

GPI supported the Town through planning, design, and construction to ensure the project met operational needs while protecting nearby wetlands and groundwater.

The team provided structural, geotechnical, site, and construction administration services for a new heavy‑duty salt barn constructed at the Town’s Department of Public Works facility. The rigid steel frame structure measures approximately 260 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 42 feet high and is enclosed with a high‑performance, tensioned fabric cover. The facility was designed to store 6,000 cubic yards of sand and salt to maintain the Town’s road network throughout a typical winter season.

Challenging subsurface conditions, including uncontrolled fill and a high groundwater table, required a foundation system beyond conventional shallow construction. GPI’s structural and geotechnical engineers collaborated to design 32‑foot‑deep reinforced drilled‑shaft foundations that transfer loads to deeper glacial materials, providing long‑term stability and durability. A precast concrete bunker system, reinforced floor slab, asphalt wearing surface, and waterproofing measures were incorporated to protect the structure, minimize chloride migration, and safeguard surrounding environmental resources.

Throughout construction, GPI provided full‑time inspection and construction administration services to support quality control and compliance with state and federal requirements. Even though a formal SWPPP was not required due to less than one acre of disturbance, GPI implemented SWPPP‑level sediment and erosion controls, conducted intermittent environmental inspections, and coordinated with the contractor to ensure protective measures remained effective throughout construction.

Despite challenging drilling conditions and multiple procurement phases, close collaboration between the Town, contractor, and design team resulted in a successful project delivered without additional financial burden to residents.