New York Stabilized Construction Access Detail

New York State borders the Atlantic Ocean via Long Island, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence River, and contains thousands of freshwater lakes, ponds, and reservoirs that support a diverse array of plant and animal life. These freshwater sources support the agricultural industry and supply drinking water to the state's more than 19 million residents. Both federal and local governments work to maintain the quality of these water sources to preserve the wildlife, agricultural interests, and the well-being of residents and visitors.

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New York SPDES General Permit

The Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA) is the primary federal regulation regarding pollution in water sources. The Act established the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program to regulate discharges into surface waters originating from construction and industrial activities, as well as municipal jurisdictions, ensuring that proper containment measures are implemented to limit pollution and excessive sedimentation. Stormwater is separate from the sewage systems and is not treated before entering surface waters. The NPDES permits, commonly referred to as Stormwater Permits, require operators to establish on-site containment measures to reduce and minimize the pollution that enters surface waters through the stormwater system.

In the State of New York, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) administers the NPDES permit program through the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES). Through the program, permits are issued to contractors, industrial operators, and municipal bodies who have met the requirements for reducing the negative environmental impact of their activities. To obtain a SPDES permit in the state of New York, operators must submit a Notice of Intent and create a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), which the DEC then reviews. The purpose of the SWPPP is to identify potential pollution and sedimentation sources and specify which containment techniques or Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be used to minimize pollution and sedimentation. In addition to issuing the permits and creating the SWPPP, a schedule of regular inspections is enforced to ensure that the practices and techniques stated in the SWPPP are being followed.

Stabilized Construction Access Detail - The “Blue Book"

One of the first BMPs installed on a construction site is access point stabilization. Any dirt, sediments, and contaminants that are tracked out of the site by vehicle tires will be washed down storm drains, causing damage to the ecosystem. To minimize sediment track-out, construction sites are required to install a stabilized construction access at each point of egress. The stabilized construction entrance/exit areas are designed to clean vehicle tires and trap sediment and debris before it can be deposited on roadways.

The NY State Standards and Specifications for Erosion and Sediment Control, also known as the Blue Book, includes specifications for a traditional rock construction entrance/exit. The Blue Book provides an example of a conventional construction entrance, consisting of a stabilized pad of stone or reclaimed/recycled crushed concrete aggregate, placed on top of a geotextile fabric. The stone entrance has a minimum depth of 6 inches, a width of 12 feet, and a length of 50 feet. The stone pads must also widen closer to the road to provide an area for trucks to turn from the stabilized pad to the roadway. Some local jurisdictions or project specifications may require adjustments to entrance dimensions for single access points or small residential projects based on local design standards.

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These entrances must be maintained in a condition that effectively removes sediment and prevents vehicle tracking onto public roads. Soil from vehicle tires will become compacted on top of the rock surface, requiring maintenance. Maintenance can involve either mixing and "fluffing," which is when the rock is excavated and moved to the surface, or top-dressing, which requires the stone pad to be covered with a new layer of aggregate. In wet conditions, the construction entrance may require frequent top dressing to remain effective.

When vehicles begin to track out onto the roadway, the debris must be removed immediately. The loose sediment must be removed before it enters storm drains to prevent sedimentation and pollution damage. Street sweeping is commonly used regularly on high-traffic sites to prevent sediment from washing into storm drains, ditches, or other natural drainage paths.

Wheel Washing

When a traditional stabilized construction access is insufficient to prevent track-out from entering the streets, a wheel wash can be installed. A wheel wash uses pressurized water to clean vehicle tires. Vehicle tires must be washed over a stabilized area that properly contains drainage in a sediment basin to prevent runoff from leaving the site.

Either traditional rock-stabilized entrances/exits or wheel wash stations should be placed at each point where traffic exits or enters the construction site, and all construction traffic should be restricted to these exits. After the project is completed, the contractor must remove the fabric, stone, and any other material introduced to the site. Any soil or vegetation that was damaged or removed must be replaced and reseeded for final stabilization.

FODS Reusable Construction Entrance

A practical, modern solution for vehicle track-out is the FODS Trackout Control System. The FODS construction entrance is composed of a high-density composite material molded into the shape of pyramids. This shape allows the rubber on the tires of a vehicle to flex and deform, allowing dirt and other material stuck in the lugs to fall out. The debris collects on the mat at the base of the pyramid, which can be easily cleaned after rain events or heavy traffic. The FODS system can be installed over any substrate, including dirt, concrete, and asphalt.

FODS Trackout Control System has a low operating cost and is both durable and portable. Contractors and operators reuse the same construction entrance on multiple projects and phases throughout the system's 10+ year expected lifespan. FODS can be used on high-volume projects in both phased and permanent applications.

By replacing multiple truckloads of rock with a single pallet of FODS, contractors can reduce their carbon footprint while saving time and money. Each mat is non-toxic and 100% recyclable, providing a sustainable solution for track-out control.

Please contact us for more information about using FODS as your Construction Access entrance and exit in New York.