The Tulsa Port of Catoosa has opened a new bulk salt storage facility for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). Erected by Legacy Building Solutions, the massive tension fabric structure provides 50,000 tons (45,359 t) of storage capacity for roadway deicing salt, nearly doubling ODOT’s available storage across the state.
“ODOT will distribute the salt stored at this new location to maintenance distribution sheds ahead of impending snow or ice events during the winter,” said Craig Swengle, associate vice president of Dewberry Engineers Inc., the primary engineer/architect for public improvements at the Port of Catoosa.
“Previously, salt was stored in the open and covered with tarps after being off-loaded from barges. The new building will protect the salt supply from being compromised by wind and precipitation.”
Measuring 203 ft. (62 m) wide by 400 ft. (122 m) long, the structure features 16-ft. (4.9 m) cast-in-place concrete walls and a rigid frame roof design that maximizes the usable interior space.
To eliminate corrosion concerns, Legacy Building Solutions installed a PVC tension fabric roof with structural steel frame that peaks to a maximum height of 70 ft. (21 m). All of the building’s steel, components and hardware are hot dip galvanized.
“Once the general contractor completed the footings and floors, Legacy installed the fabric building very quickly, in about two weeks,” said Swengle. “It was a very positive process with professional communication between Legacy and Dewberry throughout the project.