Matting 101 - Site Access in Action

SITE ACCESS IN ACTION

When tough conditions get in the way of accessing the job, construction professionals utilize site access to solve the problem. Whether it’s emergency storm repairs or big utility projects, site access products, such as matting, help crews get through rough terrain, protect the environment, and keep things on track. These are some of the situations where Sterling’s site access expertise has tackled unique access challenges across industries like oil and gas, utilities, pipelines, and more.

GROUND PROTECTION IN ACTION

When challenging conditions block access to a job site, construction professionals turn to site access solutions to keep projects moving. From emergency storm response to large-scale utility work, products like access mats allow crews to cross difficult terrain, safeguard the environment, and stay on schedule. Sterling’s expertise has supported industries such as oil and gas, utilities, and pipelines—delivering reliable solutions for even the toughest access challenges.

SITE ACCESS IN ACTION

Emergency Response | Rail & Utility Access

Situation
A powerful storm brought down trees and power lines dangerously close to active train tracks, creating a hazardous work zone along a critical rail corridor.

Challenge
Crews needed immediate access to clear debris and restore power, but heavy equipment risked damaging the track bed and ballast. With soaked, unstable ground and no safe path in, time was critical.

Solution
Sterling quickly deployed a custom matting platform to stabilize the area and shield the rail infrastructure.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats and timber mats to build a durable, elevated surface

2) A grapple loader to remove trees and debris from the matting safely

Environmental Protection | Wetlands & Soft Terrain

Situation
The jobsite was located in a sensitive wetland area, marked by soft soils, unpredictable runoff, and delicate surrounding ecosystems.

Challenge
Any movement of equipment or materials risked tearing up the terrain, causing erosion, sediment runoff, and lasting environmental damage. Preserving the area while keeping work moving was critical.

Solution
Sterling implemented layered erosion control methods, combining physical barriers and stable access surfaces to protect the environment while maintaining efficiency.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats to create a secure, low-impact temporary road

2) Silt fences, wrapped filter socks, and barrier netting strategically placed to contain sediment and protect water flow. This approach kept the site clean and fully operational.

Helicopter Operations | Dust & Debris Control

Situation
A remote jobsite required an Erickson Air-Crane helicopter to land, but the ground conditions were far from ideal to ensure a safe landing that keep the site intact and ensured personnel safety.

Challenge
Helicopter rotor wash kicks up dust, rocks, and debris—posing serious risks to personnel, aircraft, and surrounding operations. A stable, debris-free landing zone was essential.

Solution
Though requiring more time to set up, Sterling created a reinforced helipad using a combination of interlocking mats and traditional mats that provided a tight, secure seal against ground movement and flying debris. The unique interlocking design of these mats provided the best defense against ground debris.

Equipment Used

1) Composite access mats to create an interlocking landing pad

Utility Access | Farmland Preservation

Situation
A utility project needed to cross a saturated farm field in early spring—prime risk conditions for soil damage and subsurface drain tile.

Challenge
Heavy equipment could have crushed vital drainage infrastructure or compacted the soil, compromising the next season’s crop.

Solution
Sterling installed TerraLam CLT mats to create a temporary access road that evenly distributed weight and prevented rutting. The gap free construction and superior load distribution made a temporary road stable enough for heavy equipment – and gentle enough to leave the soil untouched. As a result, there was no compaction of the soil and we left no trace behind.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats were selected as they are engineered for superior load distribution and created to form a smooth, gap-free surface

Heavy Lift | Turf + Infrastructure Protection

Situation
A major stadium needed crane access from endzone to endzone to replace massive jumbotrons—right across sensitive turf and critical subsurface systems.

Challenge
The crane’s extreme weight risked damaging drainage lines, heating coils, and the turf itself on a field that was never designed to support such heavy equipment in the first place. Any mistake could delay reopening and rack up costly repairs – especially to such a beloved and iconic field.

Solution
Sterling conducted site-specific engineering analysis and installed TerraLam CLT mats, selected for their superior load distribution compared to timber, composite, or bolted alternatives. The mats provided the support needed to ensure the crane could cross the field without damaging the ground while protecting the heating and cooling infrastructure underneath the field by evenly dispersing the load.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats engineered for even weight transfer and minimal ground pressure

Environmental Response | Wetland Terrain

Situation
After a hazardous spill, crews needed to bring in a hydrovac truck to support cleanup operations deep in a sensitive wetland area.

Challenge
The saturated ground couldn’t support heavy equipment without risking soil compaction, damage to root systems, or further spreading contaminants.

Solution
Sterling deployed TerraLam CLT mats to create a stable, low-impact access path that preserved native vegetation and protected subsurface water flow. Crews were able to access the site, do the job, and leave the site intact.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats engineered to distribute weight and reduce ground pressure across soft, saturated terrain

Utility Access | Highway Safety

Situation
A utility crew needed to install a foundation immediately adjacent to an active roadway.

Challenge
However, there was no safe space to drill at ground level and performing any work on the road itself would result in traffic disruptions and an increased risk for workers and bystanders alike.

Solution
The site required a stable, elevated platform to lift the work area without disrupting traffic flow or compromising worker safety. Sterling engineered a raised platform using alternating layers of TerraLam CLT and timber mats. This pairing helped create the height needed using the timbers but also provided the superior load distribution of TerraLam throughout the structure. TerraLam also created a smooth top surface that is easier and safer to work on as compared to the unevenness of timbers or the dangers of their top notches.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats for smooth, solid surface and consistent load distribution

2) Timber mats to create structural lift and added elevation

Mainline Pipeline | Right-of-Way Access

Situation
The installation of a new mainline pipeline project required all equipment and crews to stay precisely aligned across miles of soft, shifting farmland.

Challenge
Any ground movement could throw off welds, cradle positions, or trench paths—leading to costly rework or future system failure. Even in a straight line, it only takes a little movement to throw everything off.

Solution
Since mainline pipeline work demands precision, Sterling installed a continuous layer of TerraLam CLT mats, creating a temporary platform with a firm, consistent surface that was strong enough to support pipe handling and heavy equipment, keeping alignment on track and minimizing ground disturbance.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats deployed as a seamless access road and work platform, ensuring structural consistency and alignment control

Laydown Yard | Heavy Haul Support

Situation
A levee construction site needed a laydown yard on soft, saturated ground, near a waterline with high traffic demands.

Challenge
The soil couldn’t support heavy material loads or constant movement of trucks and machinery without sinking, rutting, or requiring constant repair.

Solution
Sterling installed a stable matting surface to turn the soft site into a fully functional heavy-duty yard, enabling it the ability to support trucks, rock stockpiles, and material handling.

Equipment Used

1) TerraLam CLT mats placed across the entire laydown area. Their strength and load-spreading properties supported everything from rock stockpiles to heavy haul trucks, making the job safer, faster, and cleaner.

continue reading: REPLACING WAFFLE MATS

Think your current mats are getting the job done? Think again. Discover why many professionals are making the switch from traditional bolted “waffle” mats to modern CLT matting solutions—and how upgrading can save time, reduce costs, and improve performance on every project.