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Merritt Parkway Tree Removal To Last At Least Two More Summers

- June 25, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- Fairfield County commuters better get used to traffic jams on the Merritt Parkway caused by tree removal for the rest of this summer -- and next summer. And the next.

That's the word from Connecticut Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick, who said Hurricane Irene, Superstorm Sandy and this winter's blizzard have forced the state's hand to take drastic measures in tree removal on one of the state's most scenic highways.

After a hurricane assessment report was presented to Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Department of Transportation after those storms, the state decided that all trees within 30 feet of the edge of the asphalt that "pose a safety concern" must be removed in anticipation of future storms.

Since Sandy, the state has doubled its tree crew personnel from 25 to 50 and its budget from $1 million to $2 million per year.

"This is the picture all around the state," Nursick said. "We have a lot of tree work to do, and we've been doing it in earnest."

The crews are wrapping up removal on the northbound side of the Merritt in New Canaan and Westport. Tree removal will begin on the southbound side from Westport to Greenwich once the northbound project is complete. That work will last the rest of the summer and is sure to tie up traffic throughout Fairfield County.

Although many people have shared concerns about the aesthetics of removing the trees from along the Merritt, Nursick said the safety of drivers and keeping the parkway open are the state's top priorities.

"The Merritt Parkway leads the state, by far, in car-versus-tree incidents," he said. "We don't say, 'Let's lower our safety level because it's special.' We don't do that in this business. Safety comes first, aesthetics comes second."

Nursick also said it was "unacceptable" for the parkway to be closed for two days again as it was in the previous storms, considering the importance of the state in the road.

"People have seen the price that we pay in these storms, particularly on the Merritt Parkway, with trees falling," he said.

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Merritt Parkway Tree Removal To Last At Least Two More Summers

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Investigators: Belmont warehouse’s sprinkler system failed

- June 25, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

INDIANAPOLIS The sprinkler system failed at the warehouse on Belmont Avenue that caught fire last weekend, according to public safety officials.

Division of Homeland Security Chief Gary Coons said the fire suppression system did not activate, helping feed the large fire on the west side. The fire at 220 S. Belmont Ave. started nine days ago.

Indianapolis Fire Department Chief Brian Sanford said the size of the fire made it difficult to fight, adding that IFD crews had several obstacles to overcome. Sanford said he was extremely proud of his crews.

Investigators have ruled out all natural/weather-related causes for the fire. Coons said a natural gas leak had also been ruled out, as well as a few other accidental causes. They still dont know the exact cause.

Investigators said they processed the scene in five days, beating their original estimate of seven days.

The Department of Code Enforcement took control of the scene around 9:20 a.m. Monday. The department has issued an emergency demolition order, and said building owner Keith Sharp has seven days to comply.

Last week, Sharp was cited with three code violations regarding asbestos in the building. Hes also been ordered to clean up the asbestos on the property and in surrounding areas. The Marion County Public Health Department said its continuing to monitor the air quality.

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Sprinkler system failed at Belmont Ave. warehouse

- June 25, 2013 by Mr HomeBuilder

INDIANAPOLIS -

There are new details on the investigation and clean-up of thehuge three-alarm fire last weekend.

The city is giving the building's ownerseven days to tear down parts of the heavily damaged building still standing. Investigators found the sprinkler system didn't go off when the fire started.

Ninedays after theJune 15th fire,the sprawling ruins on Belmont Ave. are still dangerous. Firefighters were back, putting out flames that rekindled in the debris.

Federal and Indianapolis investigators are finished here, but aren't saying much about what they found and where they are looking now for clues.

"As with any investigation, this one is far from over," said Gary Coons, Marion County Homeland Security Director.

The fire blackened the sky on June 15th as flames swept through ten acres of storage space stacked with old tires, roofing supplies and propane tanks.

Investigators found the building's sprinkler system did not work. They've ruled out several possible accidental causes, including a natural gas leak.

But Coons added, "we haven't ruled out all accidental causes. We ruled out some, but we have not ben able to rule out all so we are still trying to chip away at each individual piece."

Coonssaid investigators still have numerous interviews to do as they look for more information.

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Sprinkler system failed at Belmont Ave. warehouse

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Sprinkler system failed to activate at Belmont Ave. warehouse