Old Alabama Road Widening Project
CW Matthew Uses FODS Construction Entrance On $90M Old Alabama Road Widening Project
The Georgia DOT is in the process of multiple major highway expansions throughout Bartow County, northwest of Atlanta. The full scope of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) includes new connecting roadways, multiple widening projects and bridge renovations. In 2021, the $90M+ Old Alabama Road widening project was the largest construction operation in Bartow County according to Tom Sills, the Transportation Planner of the Cartersville-Bartow County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The finished project will increase capacity for both motorists and cyclists along nearly six miles between Paga Mine Road and Highway 113 (Rockmart Highway). The roadway will expand from two lanes to a four lanes divided by a 44-foot depressed grass median. The highway will included a wide paved shoulder which will can serve as a bike lane to provide access to cyclists.
CW Matthews Chosen For Project
Construction Entrance on Old Alabama Road Project.
The Georgia DOT awarded the project to long time partner CW Matthews who has completed many similar projects throughout the state. The planned expansions would necessarily cause redirecting of traffic to alternate routes and cause reduced operational lanes as travelers pass the construction zones. Experienced highway contractor CW Matthews takes precautions to maintain road safety and minimize traffic impacts by leveraging efficient scheduling and utilizing the leading best practices.
To comply with Stormwater NPDES Permits, builders implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to minimize the impact of construction activity on the local surface waters. One BMP that is used on every project is the construction entrance which is designed to remove sediment and debris from vehicle tires before leaving the construction site. Each construction entrance is supplemented by procedural BMPs including regular street sweeping to capture any fugitive debris that continues through the entrances. The construction entrance BMP is a critical part of highway construction projects as construction vehicles are commonly exiting onto active lanes and sediment, debris and any other construction material which can cause both environmental and safety hazards. The linear projects often require tens or hundreds of entrances as contractors move through each phase of work.
Minimizing Trackout On Linear Construction
FODS Trackout Control Mats Construction Entrance mats installed at main job site entrance.
FODS Trackout Control System
CW Matthews chose FODS Trackout Control System for use on this project due to the systems safety and effectiveness. The FODS system effectively captured sediment on this project which enabled CW Matthews to reduce street sweeping by 80% compared to traditional aggregate style construction entrances. In addition, the rockless system does not introduce aggregate to egress points where stones tracked onto the roadway can cause hazards to vehicles and become lodged in dual tire vehicles. The contractor leveraged the current Best Management Practices to maintain both environmental and safety standards on this project.
Over the course of construction, entrances must be maintained and relocated. The FODS system is designed to be reused on multiple projects. During the Old Alabama Widening Project, the same FODS system was relocated and reused on successive phases of the nearly six mile project. The compact mats can be loaded onto a single trailer during installation and removal which reduces construction delivery traffic needed for each phase of the job. Similarly, when maintenance is required, the FODS system is simply cleaned and does not require additional deliveries of aggregate. The cleaning process is simple and the contractor reported that maintenance only took a few minutes each day. The modern BMP allowed CW Matthews to quickly and efficiently maintain construction entrances and relocate for each phase of the project.
Because of the temporary impact of construction activity on traffic routes, contractors continue to seek techniques to increase efficiency and safety. Contractors switching to the FODS Reusable Construction Entrance System take advantage of reduced delays between phases, better control over entrance maintenance, and improved roadway safety during construction. CW Matthews previous projects provide the experienced management decisions which have enabled continued success on Georgia DOT projects.
ABOUT FODS, LLC
Based in Englewood Colorado, FODS Trackout Control System replace ineffective and costly traditional rock stabilized construction entrances, saving you valuable time and money. Our proprietary mat design works to effectively remove mud and sediment from your vehicle tires without damaging the tire or the ground’s surface. We provide the only durable, reusable, and environmentally friendly trackout control system currently available on the market. FODS Trackout Control Mats are 100% Made in the USA and are reusable and recyclable.
To find out more information on how we can help your project stay on schedule and in compliance contact 844-200-3637 or email us at info@getfods.com.