Site Access in Action

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

• Composite access mats to create an interlocking landing pad

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• TerraLam CLT mats for smooth, solid surface and consistent load distribution
• Timber mats to create structural lift and added elevation

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

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

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

• 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.