New Canaan Salt Shed
In November 2005, Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) presented its initial plan for the renovation of the New Canaan maintenance garage and salt shed near exit 37. The plan was met with criticism from New Canaan residents and the MPC. Complaints included observations that the property had been used as a landfill. Under the proposed DOT design, contaminated soil would not have been removed, only capped. The new salt shed was designed to sit on top of this contaminated soil, some 25 feet higher than the rest of the property, with little screening from the Merritt Parkway.

In July 2006, in a meeting attended by DOT officials, State Senator Bill Nickerson, New Canaan First Selectman Judy Neville and MPC board members, Leigh Grant and Keith Simpson, an alternative design was proposed based on the plan submitted by MPC. The current plan includes removal of contaminated soil, the salt shed lowered by 15 feet, 12 retaining walls installed and appropriate landscaping. In a spirit of partnership, DOT and MPC are continuing to review the proposed redesign and explore cost reductions.

It will take DOT several months to finalize the plan for further public input and seek appropriate approval from the Department of Environmental Protection.