Whether you’re upgrading electrical utility infrastructure, installing a pipeline or building a new solar farm, temporary road construction is often necessary to provide safe site access. Transferring heavy equipment, materials and workers requires a level, stable road that might not exist in remote areas. When you need to create a temporary road to access your project site, consider these key factors.

Terrain and weather conditions

When you work in remote areas, you might need to go through a private right of way, muddy gullies or rocky foothills. The type of temporary access road you build will depend on the terrain, so it’s important to know what you will encounter along the route. Depending on the terrain and the work you plan to do, some areas may require heavy-duty timber mats, while others may need bridge mats, crane mats or EPZ grounding mats.

When you do an initial site visit, think about what the site conditions might be for the duration of the project. Will the crew have to work under snowy and icy conditions? Will the dry creek bed become a stream that must be crossed? Anticipating any potential terrain and weather challenges is essential for selecting the right temporary road solutions.

Safety considerations

Safety is a top priority for any type of construction project, including access to and from the site. When choosing a temporary road solution, think about the surface of the road and how vehicles will transition on and off of it. It’s also important to ensure that the system you use stays level and stable throughout the duration of the project, which is why proper installation is essential.

Environmental requirements

Every construction site has minimum environmental requirements, and some projects will have even more stringent regulations. Whether you’re working with local landowners or navigating the restrictions around protected land, a temporary road should have the minimum possible impact. Ground protection mats not only reduce the potential for soil compaction that leads to stormwater runoff, but they can also help prevent the spread of invasive species.

Use cases

Have a good understanding of how your temporary road will be used. How heavy is the equipment? What type of wheels or tracks do they have? How often will trucks be using the road? Having all of this information available will allow you to determine what types of ground protection mats are appropriate for your project.

Budget and cost

Every project manager keeps the budget in the forefront of their mind. Temporary road construction will always have costs associated with it, but the investment can actually help you save on the overall project budget. When evaluating your options, consider the cost of not using mats. Estimate the costs related to weather delays if the route becomes inaccessible or if environmental cleanup and replanting are required.

Using ground protection mats

Using ground protection mats to create temporary roads is a cost-effective way to create safe, efficient access to a jobsite while having a minimal impact on the environment.

Mat acquisition

When selecting mats, work with a qualified provider that can help you choose the most cost-effective combination of mats. You can also decide whether you want to rent or buy ground protection mats. When making this decision, remember that not all projects have the same requirements. Depending on the location of future projects, you may want the flexibility of renting. Mat storage is also an important consideration because not all companies have the space to stack thousands of mats when they’re not in use.

Mat installation

When working with temporary road mats, choose trained professionals to ensure safe installation. One of the benefits of temporary road mats is that they can be efficiently removed and reused, sometimes even on the same project. In some cases, you may be able to reduce costs by leapfrogging mats as sections of the project are completed.

Mat removal

Removing ground protection mats is quick, efficient and leaves little trace of the temporary road that was once there. When you coordinate with an expert provider, mats can be loaded onto trucks as they are removed so you don’t have to worry about interim storage.

Get the whole package with United Rentals

United Rentals provides comprehensive site access solutions, including temporary road construction. When you need temporary road access, we’ll work closely with your team to provide a safe, sustainable and cost-effective solution. Our team has come up with creative solutions to the toughest site access challenges, so if you’re struggling with an access issue, give us a call.

Contact United Rentals for a quote or to receive more information about our ground protection mat rentals.