Low Salt Design Featured on the ASCE Plot Points Podcast

In many parts of the country, winter brings more than snow and ice—it brings salt. And while salt is a familiar go-to for winter maintenance, its impact on our water resources is anything but harmless.

That’s where low salt design comes in.

Bolton & Menk’s Connie Fortin and Tim Olson are rethinking winter design from the ground up. In their work, low salt design focuses on reducing the need for deicing salt before a project is ever built—using smarter planning, grading, materials, and layouts to make sites safer and more sustainable in winter conditions.

In episode 185 of ASCE Plot Points podcast, Connie and Tim break down what low salt design really means—and why many of the solutions are simpler than you might expect. Their conversation explores how thoughtful design choices can improve safety, protect water quality, and reduce long-term maintenance needs.

Interested in learning more? Visit our Low Salt Solutions page to download the Low Salt Design Guide for free!