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.”
The new salt storage building is primarily cladded with tan fabric, while also incorporating a white skylight to allow sunlight to illuminate the structure’s interior. The building is ventilated with mesh eaves and is designed to withstand winds of 90 mph and hold snow loads of 20 lbs. (9 kg) per sq. ft.
The Tulsa Port of Catoosa was strategically chosen as the site for the new facility because it allows ODOT to transport salt to the northern part of the state on a barge via inland waterway. This reduces material transportation costs for the taxpayers and provides an avenue to procure extra salt shipments when road deliveries aren’t feasible.
Legacy Building Solutions specializes in the innovative design, engineering and construction of fabric-covered buildings for several different industries and applications.
For more information, call 320/259-7126 or 877/259-1528, or visit www.legacybuildingsolutions.com.
