Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

With temperatures dropping and winter weather on the way as November turns to December, Winchester citizens will want the benefit of knowing that road needs will be attended to both now and in the future. 

Fortunately, there’s much reason to rest assured. 

During a recent conversation, the condition of development for a new salt building was discussed. 

“The main thing that [it’s] going to offer is we’ll be able to get a winter’s worth of salt before winter,” said Brian Sewell, Public Works Director for the City of Winchester. “We don’t have to reorder as winter comes on and run the risk of coming up short…we would have it stockpiled and ready and wouldn’t have any worries.” 

Sewell noted that – unfortunately – there have been previous occasions in which such advantages were not the case. 

While the location of the present salt building is on Pendleton Street, the new building is located at 222 Cook Avenue. 

Structurally, it measures at 45 x 80 feet on top of 8-foot concrete walls with a capacity of 1200 tons. 

With the previous building only able to house 300 tons, this offers four times the current capacity. 

Sewell explained how the process of development occurred. 

“It’s been a work in progress. It started in 2019, I believe, with just some discussion with the City Manager at that time,” he said. “During COVID…that was the first [time for] discussions about possibly adding it to the budget.” 

Although the effects of COVID-19 created delays, discussions surrounding the design of the building soon took place. 

“After the design was completed, it…actually went out to bid last summer,” Sewell said. “The contractor started on it [I believe] last October or November…they’ve spent this year constructing the building.” 

The contractor is DW Construction Services LLC of Mt. Sterling, with the Department of Public Works providing regular assistance. 

When speaking of its current construction status, Sewell further elaborated. 

“The building is complete. They’re in the process right now of just doing the final grade work around the building,” he said. “It is ready to hold salt now.” 

He looks forward to it serving the community for years to come. 

“[With] the way it’s built, I anticipate it having a long life,” he said. “As it grows…we don’t have to worry about running out of capacity. We’ll be able to better budget for salt each year…the main thing is just to hold the salt that we need for the winter.”