Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Construction Entrance Detail

Thanks to the natural shale deposits in the Marcellus Basin, Pennsylvania boasts the second largest production of natural gas in the country. The state’s Department of Environmental Protection plays a key role in protecting precious surface waters while supporting industry development. Pennsylvania includes watersheds that flow both into Lake Erie on the north west to Chesapeake Bay on the south east.

Pennsylvania NPDES Stormwater Permits

Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Clean Water, in the Department of Environmental Protection, administers the NPDES program throughout the state. The Bureau monitors compliance and issues permits for industrial, municipal, and construction sites. Each type of permit is designed with regulations to ensure that surface water quality is not degraded by their respective activities.

Construction activities that disturb an area of one acre or greater are regulated under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) are required to obtain a stormwater permit. Many construction operators can apply for coverage under the PAG-02 General Permit.

PAG-02 NPDES Construction Permit Requirements: SWPPP Plan

To obtain a stormwater permit, construction operators must submit a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP). The SWPPP includes details about the potential pollution sources on the project as well as mitigation techniques, called Best Management Practices or BMPs, that will be used to eliminate or reduce the pollutant’s impact on surface waters. High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) watersheds require special protective measures to ensure that sensitive natural resources and ecosystems are protected. Standards that meet the requirements for use in HQ or EV watersheds are known as Antidegredation Best Available Combination of Technologies, or ABACT.

The DEP provides guidance to contractors through resources & manuals including the Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control Manual. Chapter 3 of the manual includes various techniques for stabilizing construction site access locations as well as indicating which of the techniques are classified as ABACT.

PennDOT Construction Entrance: ROck and Wash Rack

Rock Construction Entrance Example. Standard dimensions are 50’ x 20’ x 8” in depth.

Chapter 3 of the DEP Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control Program Manual outlines Site Access BMPs that are used throughout the state. A standard Rock Construction Entrance is the traditional method of stabilized site access points. A Rock Construction Entrance consists of a geotextile fabric topped with 8” AASHTO #1 rock. The construction entrance should be 50’ x 20’ with a wide turning radius. The rock entrance must maintain these dimensions including the depth of 8” through the course of the project. Because rock will regularly become compacted, a stockpile of rock should be maintained on-site. If sediment is not sufficiently contained, then an additional length of 50’ should be added to the entrance or the operator should install a wash rack. According to the manual, sediment removal efficiency is low and this technique is not an ABCAT so it must not be used for HQ or EV watersheds.

ABACT Approved Rock Construction Entrance With Wash Rack. This technique is specified in the PennDOT Publication 408 - Section 849 for use on DOT projects.

Another technique in the manual is the use of a Rock Construction Entrance With A Wash Rack. This technique is also specified in the PennDOT Construction Specifications in PennDOT publication 408. Section 849 of the publication describes the standards for a traditional rock construction entrance with a wash rack. The standard and manual specify aggregate and geotextile types as well as a wash rack concrete and excavation procedures. PennDOT Construction Entrance specs include specifications for drainage, maintenance, removal, and remediation. This entrance is ABACT approved for use on High Quality (HQ) or Exceptional Value (EV) watersheds.

Rumble Pads, Rumble Plates or Shaker Plates can be used as an alternative to rock entrances. A minimum of four tire rotations should be used, and more plates may be required depending on site conditions.

Rumble pads, shaker plates or pre-constructed rumble pads are also included in the manual as a replacement for Rock Construction Entrances. The manual states minimum requirements for length and specifies that the rumble plates should be installed according to manufacturer’s recommendations. The length of the system should be at a minimum sufficient to provide four tire rotations. Effectiveness and site conditions may require that additional plates be added to provide adequate reduction in sediment on the roadway. The system should be cleaned daily or more frequently as needed. This BMP is not ABACT.

Manufactured wheel wash system in use. Water is recycled or cleaned before being discharged into surface waters.

Wheel Wash stations are another technique which is classified as an ABACT that can be used for HQ and EV watersheds or where special traffic safety issues exist. Water with sedimentation should be recycled or cleaned of sediment using an approved sediment removal device before discharging to a surface water. This system is effective at cleaning tires and can be implemented using recycled water when a water source is not available.

FODS Reusable Construction Entrances

FODS Reusable Construction Entrance is a waterless, rockless system and can easily be installed over dirt or pavement without heavy equipment. FODS Mats are reusable and have a service life of over ten years.

FODS Reusable Construction Entrance/Exit System is a waterless, rockless alternative to traditional trackout control BMPs. FODS are designed to be used as a standalone solution to vehicle trackout. The pyramids on the surface deform vehicle tires to allow debris and sediment trapped in the tread to fall loose. The dislodged debris collects at the base of the pyramids where it does not come into contact with vehicle tires. Roadway tracking is reduced more effectively with FODS mats compared to Rock Construction Entrances which can result in as much as 59% reduction in street sweeping.

In addition to effectively reducing trackout, the system is both lightweight and extremely durable. FODS can be installed over nearly any substrate and easily transported to the next project, all without the use of heavy equipment.

As a rockless and waterless system, FODS reduces hazards and liability. Rocks can become lodged in dual tire vehicles creating roadway hazards; this hazard is eliminated when using FODS Reusable Construction Entrance System. When using either wheel wash stations or wash racks in cold weather, water on vehicle tires can contribute to hazardous road conditions. FODS is an All-Weather system which can be used in cold temperatures without contributing to ice on roadways.

Additional Resources:

DEP Erosion & Sediment Pollution Control Manual

Pennsylvania DEP Approval Letter

Erosion and Sediment Control (E&S) program Chapter 102

PAG-02 NPDES General Permit For Construction

EPA Pennsylvania NPDES Permits

Recommended Layout: 1x7

Blog - Reusable Rockless Construction Entrance in the Field

Titan America Implements FODS To Minimize Vehicle Track-Out

Titan America, a leading construction material supplier, is using FODS on multiple locations throughout Florida to mitigate vehicle track-out, increase safety, and reduce costs. The system has proved effective on varied site conditions and demonstrates Titan America’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Landfill Sites Implementing FODS Trackout Control System

Landfills across the country are turning to FODS to reduce sediment tracking. FODS is a portable, reusable vehicle track-out control solution which can be permanently installed as a complete solution or used in conjunction with wheel wash systems or other Vehicle Trackout Control BMPs to improve performance. Learn more about landfills that have integrated the FODS Trackout Control system to reduce costs and increase compliance and safety.

DEN Gate Expansion Program

As one of the nation’s most traveled airports, Denver International Airport (DEN) continues to add gates to increase capacity for over 60 million annual travellers. In 2022, DIA’s Gate Expansion Program completed the addition of 39 gates which increased the airports capacity by 30%. FODS Trackout Control System was deployed throughout the project to safely mitigate construction vehicle track out and reduce FOD on access roads. The FODS system is becoming the preferred solution for mitigating construction track out and preventing vehicle related Foreign Object Debris (FOD) on airports around the globe.

Miami Signature Bridge Project

Miami’s I-395/SR 836/I-95 Design-Build Project which includes the arched Signature Bridge encompasses over 5 miles of highway and state roadways. Archer Western & de Moya Group Joint Venture have deployed FODS Soil Tracking Prevention Device as a Vehicle Tracking Control Measure throughout the project. The reusable system can be relocated through each phase of the project.

SAN Airport - New T1 Project

The San Diego International Airport is undergoing a major renovation of Terminal 1 which will create and additional 11 gates along with new seating areas and restaurants. The New T1 Project will also include a two level drop-off/pick-up area which will provide pedestrian access to Terminal 2, a new administration building, and a three lane road to the terminal which will streamline traffic and reduce congestion on nearby roadways.

Erie North Water Reclamation Facility Expansion

Erie’s North Water Reclamation Facility is undergoing major improvement to increase capacity for the growing town. The improvements will continue until 2028 as the plant is upgraded to a Class A facility which can provide safe water for additional applications. Archer Western is contracted to perform the work and is using FODS Trackout Control Mats to as the Stabilized Construction Entrance BMP to minimize vehicle sediment tracking.

I-10 & I-12 College Flyover Ramp Project

The I-10 Flyover Ramp Project aims to reduce congestion from westbound I-10 traffic exiting onto the College Drive exit. The Flyover redirects traffic over the I-12 to eliminate the need to merge past multiple lanes of traffic. FODS Trackout Control System was deployed to reduce construction site sediment tracking.

Catbird: A New Concept Hybrid Hotel

The Catbird Hotel is constructed on the corner of Marion and Walnut in Denver’s RiNo Arts District. Using innovative building materials, construction crews would assemble each floor in under three weeks as the pre-manufactured structural and exterior panels were delivered to the site. Construction in urban environments requires contractors to deploy effective and safe BMPs to prevent sedimentation and water pollution from exiting vehicles. The FODS Trackout Control Mats were to used on all three site entrances to provide access to the frequent delivery trucks and construction vehicles.

1919 At Mile High Apartments

In response to rapid urban expansion, The Opus Group (Opus) began construction of its third multi-family development in Denver’s Jefferson Park neighborhood. The experienced building and engineering teams found solutions to the unique challenges posed by the varied topography and space constraints of the project. Opus installed FODS Reusable Construction Entrance System on the three entrances to minimize vehicle sediment tracking onto the active roads.

FODS Deployed on I-25 South Gap Project

Interstate 25 is a major north-south interstate which connects Denver and cities and communities along the Front Range to the National Highway System. The growing population prompted expansions both north and south of the Denver Metro area. FODS Reusable Construction Entrance System enables contractors to quickly establish stabilized access points during each phase of the project.

Cumberland County Landfill

The Cumberland County Landfill was opened in the 1970s and is a municipal solid waste landfill that contracts with residual waste generators in Pennsylvania and surrounding states. To minimize trackout, the FODS Stabilized Construction Entrance was installed near the site’s weigh station. The system provides an effective solution to vehicle sediment tracking enabling increased compliance at reducing operating costs.

Big Dry Creek Sewer Improvements Project

The Big Dry Creek Sewer Improvements Project involves the renovation of 14 miles of sewer pipeline in the city of Westminster, CO. The renovation will increase capacity and prepare the city’s infrastructure for future developments. The frequent relocation of construction zones throughout the project prompted the contractor to choose a reusable and portable construction entrance to stay compliant and mobile.

HealthONE Swedish Medical Center New Patient Tower

The HealthONE operated Swedish Medical Center undergoes a fourth major renovation to increase capacity with the development of a six-story new patient tower. The construction will be conducted while the hospital remains open presenting challenges which are met by innovative solutions.

LAX LAMP Project

Los Angeles Landside Access Modernization Program (LAMP) is under development by a Fluor JV. The project requires a construction entrance solution that can mitigate sedimentation, dust, and foreign objects (FOD) near airport access roads. FODS Trackout Control Mats were deployed in multiple locations throughout the project.

Ball Aerospace Expansion

Ball Aerospace Expansion Project in Broomfield near the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport continues to operate a clean working area to reduce FOD and sedimentation from construction site exits. To provide the best possible performance, the contractor has installed FODS Trackout Control Mat System to clean vehicle tires as they exit the site.

New York Industrial Recycling Plant Replaces Wheel Wash

Faztec Industries Saves $4,500/mo By Replacing Wheel Wash BMP With FODS Mats. Recycling Plant and Transfer Station Construction Entrance Application.

CalTrans I-10 Tune Up Project Uses FODS TC-1 BMP

CalTrans I-10 Tune Up Project employs FODS Portable Construction Entrance/Exit for their TC-1 Erosion and Sediment Control BMP. The rockless construction entrance/exit system is safer on highway projects near active lanes of travel and avoid introducing rocks and debris into active roadways. In addition, highway projects like the CalTrans I-10 Rehabilitation are able to reduce costs by reusing the entrance on multiple phases.

FODS Combats Contaminants on Red Cedar Development Project

To combat construction trackout and cross contamination during the Red Cedar Development Project, FODS distributor interfaceh2o, provided Hoffman Brothers with a 1 x 8 mat FODS Reusable Construction Entrance configuration.

Marcellus Formation Fracking

Marcellus Formation Fracking requires high volumes of vehicles entering and exiting the site through the stabilized construction entrance. The operator of this site needed a heavy-duty, effective trackout control solution, so they installed the FODS Trackout Control Mats. Learn More.

FODS Deployed at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

NASA uses FODS at Kennedy Space Center as a soil tracking prevention device on the Crawlerway improvement project.

FODS Gains Traction In Texas

Industries across Texas are using FODS to provide cost-effective, and environmentally friendly construction entrances that reduce trackout and maintenance.

Squaw Valley Project

Nashville Projects

FODS is used on multiple projects throughout Tennessee. TDOT approval opens doors for Kiewit to use FODS on I-440 project. The town of Gallatin welcomes a large datacenter with high-volume clean energy demands. New Nashville Fairgrounds Stadium project uses FODS to stop the mud.

Central 70 Project

At over 30 years beyond the expected lifespan of the bridge, Central I-70 was showing signs of age in terms of both deterioration and traffic congestion. The Central 70 Project addressed future growth needs by renovating a 10 mile stretch of I-70.

Southmoor Park

O'Hare International Airport

FH Paschen reduces aviation FOD with FODS Reusable Construction Entrance on $8.5 Billion O’Hare 21 Project.

Central Tri-State Tollway I-294 Project

Old Veterans Construction deploys FODS on massive central Tri-State tollway I-294 Widening and reconstruction project.

Solar Farm

MaxGen Energy Services, a nationwide service provider for clean energy infrastructure, provides preventative and corrective maintenance for solar farms, as well as immediate responses during emergencies. Learn how MaxGen Energy Services uses FODS to tackle critical solar farm service jobs and remain compliant with Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans.

27th Street Storm Drain Project

During excavation, shoring, and construction of the drainage pipeline, FODS Reusable Construction Entrance is currently doing a tough job of stopping soil from tracking out into public streets and onto sidewalks, and mitigating dust to nearby residences.

ALDOT 5920 Bridge Project

The I-59/20 junction in the Birmingham Central Business District provides service to over 165,000 travelers every day. These bridges were showing signs of age in terms of both structural damages and traffic congestion earning the colloquial name “The Malfunction Junction.” The major phase of the project involving the I-59/20 junction was completed in record time a full two months earlier than projected.