Massachusetts Stabilized Construction Entrance

Massachusetts continues to set the standard in the northeast and nationally for balancing infrastructure growth with environmental protection. In a state famous for major infrastructure projects such as the “Big Dig”, to on-going work in the dense innovation hubs of Cambridge and Boston and the expanding transportation corridors along I-95, construction activity across the Commonwealth requires careful management of erosion, sediment, and stormwater runoff. With more than 3,000 freshwater lakes and hundreds of miles of rivers, Massachusetts’ waterways are vital to both ecological health and community well-being. Protecting these resources means enforcing strict requirements for stabilized construction entrances, ensuring mud, soil, and debris from active sites do not reach public roadways or storm drains.

Massachusetts State Standards and NPDES Permits

The foundation of Massachusetts’ stormwater management framework lies in the Clean Water Act (CWA), which authorizes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate the discharge of pollutants through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program. The Commonwealth operates under joint oversight by EPA Region 1 (New England) and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), ensuring that both federal and state environmental standards are met.

MassDEP enforces stormwater protection through the Wetlands Protection Regulations (310 CMR 10.00), which safeguard groundwater, drinking water supplies, floodplains, and wildlife habitat. These regulations complement the Massachusetts Stormwater Management Standards, which require projects to control runoff volume and velocity, remove sediment, and prevent pollutants from entering natural waterways. Every construction project whether a mixed-use redevelopment in downtown Boston or a bridge reconstruction along the Turnpike must integrate effective Best Management Practices (BMPs) for sediment control.

Among these BMPs, the Stone Stabilized Pad Construction Entrance remains one of the most critical tools for controlling off-site sediment transport. It represents the first line of defense against construction site trackout that can cause roadway hazards, storm drain blockages, and non-compliance under the Massachusetts NPDES Construction General Permit (CGP).

2017 Massachusetts Construction General Permit (CGP)

Under the 2017 CGP, any construction activity disturbing one acre or more must obtain NPDES coverage prior to groundbreaking. This permit requires operators to prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) detailing all potential sources of pollution, identifying BMPs, and describing inspection and maintenance procedures.

The SWPPP serves as a living document, guiding how contractors minimize sediment discharge and respond to rain events. Stabilized entrances are typically installed before excavation begins and remain in place until final stabilization. They prevent soil from adhering to tires and being carried onto paved surfaces one of the most visible and enforceable aspects of stormwater compliance in Massachusetts.

For urban sites like the Kendall Square redevelopment outside of Boston in the SoMa district of Cambridge, where construction activity occurs adjacent to public sidewalks and active traffic, the stabilized entrance also serves as a safety and cleanliness measure, preserving air quality and reducing slip hazards. In large-scale infrastructure projects such as the recent I-95 expansion, multiple access points may be required throughout sequential construction phases, making durability and reusability critical performance factors.

MassDEP Standard: Stone-Stabilized Construction Entrance

A temporary stone stabilized pad is located at points of vehicular ingress and egress to reduce the mud and sediment displacement. This technique is effective when all vehicle traffic is restricted to stabilized entrances. The MassDEP Erosion and Sediment Control Practices Guide provides a description of a standard stone stabilized pad construction entrance.

The Guide states that the entrance should be installed with a positive grade so runoff will flow back towards the construction site and away from the paved road surface. The stone pad consist of a Geofabric topped with 6 inches of 1-3 inch size aggregate. The length of the entrance should a minimum of 50 feet in length, or 30 feet in length for residential lots, but may need to be extended if the entrance does not provide adequate containment of sediment. If the action of the vehicle traveling over the gravel pad is still not sufficient to remove most of the mud, then the tires must be washed before the vehicle enters a public road. If washing is used, a sediment trap must intercept the wash water and trap the sediment before it is carried off-site. Inadequate runoff control is a common problem that washes dirt and mud onto public road.

This type of construction entrance requires upkeep to maintain effectiveness. After the rock becomes compacted, or after a rain event, the stone pad should be redressed with additional aggregate to restore effectiveness. When the work is complete, the stone entrance must be removed and the areas prepared for final stabilization.

FODS Track Out Mat System – A Modern, Rockless Solution

The FODS Trackout Control Mat System offers a durable, reusable, and environmentally superior alternative to the traditional stone pad entrance. Constructed from high-density polyethylene (HDPE), FODS mats feature a patented pyramid-pattern surface that flexes tire treads to dislodge compacted soil, mud, and gravel. This mechanical cleaning action prevents sediment from leaving the site while eliminating the need for aggregate material entirely.

Field testing and real-world use show that FODS mats are between 60-80% more effective at removing sediment than conventional rock entrances, leading to a massive reduction in street sweeping. Because the mats are portable and modular, they can be deployed on soil, gravel, asphalt, or concrete without extensive site preparation. Installation typically requires only basic anchoring hardware, and maintenance involves sweeping the mats using a skid steer with a broom attachment or manual removal using the FODS Cleanout Shovel, no refreshing, re-rocking, or replacement is required.

At Kendall Square in Cambridge, where construction took place adjacent to biotech campuses and research facilities, FODS mats were selected due to demonstrated ability to reduce dust, maintenance, and material deliveries associated with traditional rock entrances. Their clean, low-profile design helped contractors maintain compliance while minimizing disruption in a high-traffic urban setting. The bright “Safety Yellow” color of the mat clearly denotes for drivers the proper entry and exit point for the construction site. Similarly, during the I-95 expansion project, FODS mats provided a portable trackout solution for multiple phases of roadway widening and utility relocation. Crews were able to relocate the mats quickly between work zones, avoiding the need to continuously import and dispose of thousands of pounds of aggregate.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

By eliminating the need for stone, FODS Track Out Mat System drastically reduce the environmental footprint associated with stone stabilized pad construction entrances. Traditional aggregate pads require quarrying, hauling, and disposal—each phase generating greenhouse gas emissions and roadway wear. Reusable HDPE mats avoid this cycle, aligning with Massachusetts’ sustainability goals and the MassDEP Waste Reduction Program.

From an economic standpoint, contractors realize long-term savings through lower maintenance and material costs. Once purchased, FODS mats can be reused across multiple projects for more than a decade, yielding a significantly lower cost per entrance over time. They also reduce downtime during wet weather, as the mats can be refreshed in minutes rather than hours.

Projects that employ FODS systems report measurable improvements in compliance outcomes. Clean exit points mean fewer trackout citations, reduced street sweeping costs, and improved relationships with local inspectors and surrounding communities. For sensitive urban sites like SoMa or for multi-phase infrastructure programs like I-95, those advantages translate directly into smoother project delivery and reduced operational risk.

Environmental and Economic Benefits

Under the Massachusetts NPDES Construction General Permit, stabilized entrances are a required element of every Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. FODS mats meet the functional intent of this requirement as FODS is a structural Best Management Practice (BMP) designed to prevent the discharge of sediment and debris from vehicle tires. FODS Track Out Mat System fully support the compliance goals outlined by both EPA Region 1 and MassDEP, including maintaining stabilized access points, minimizing pollutant discharge, and documenting consistent BMP performance throughout construction.

Because FODS mats are rockless, they eliminate the uncertainty that often arises during inspections over whether stone pads are adequately maintained. Inspectors can clearly verify function and condition in a single visit, improving transparency and efficiency. For contractors, this consistency reduces the likelihood of negative enforcement actions, change orders, or rework which regularly stems from failed BMP performance.

Widespread Adoption Across Massachusetts

The nationwide success of FODS has encouraged its use on other projects throughout the state, including municipal public works and private industrial developments. In densely populated areas, FODS mats have proven especially valuable where limited space makes traditional aggregate pads impractical or disruptive. Their clean, reusable design also complements Massachusetts’ broader push toward low-impact development (LID) and green infrastructure principles.

Engineering firms, general contractors, and environmental compliance managers across Massachusetts increasingly specify FODS Track Out Mat System in their project SWPPPs. Many now view FODS as a standard component of site access planning, particularly where project schedules, cost efficiency, and sustainability goals intersect.

Massachusetts has long been a leader in stormwater management, from its early wetlands protection laws to today’s advanced construction permitting framework. As infrastructure and urban redevelopment continue to expand, the tools used to achieve compliance are evolving as well.

The FODS Track Out Mat System represents innovation and the next generation of stabilized construction entrance technology offering superior sediment removal performance, reusability, and environmental sustainability. Proven on high-profile across the world, FODS provides contractors with a cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective method of managing trackout while fully meeting EPA Region 1 and MassDEP requirements.

By replacing disposable stone entrances with reusable FODS mats, contractors reduce waste, streamline maintenance, and uphold the Commonwealth’s commitment to protecting its most valuable resource—clean water. The result is a practical, forward-looking solution that supports both regulatory compliance and the environmental legacy that defines Massachusetts.