Commercial Boardwalk Cost and Design Information - PermaTrak Blog 

We’re excited to announce that PermaTrak was recently selected to be a part of the South Charlotte Connector project in Charlotte, NC. This project will extend the Cross Charlotte Trail 1.2 miles to connect with the McMullen/McAlpine/Four Mile Creek Greenway system. PermaTrak will partner with designer Kimley-Horn and the City of Charlotte to design two boardwalk crossings for this new section of trail in Mecklenburg County. OnSite Construction will serve as the contractor for the project.

Our engineering team often works with owners and designers to help determine pile size and spacing options for the boardwalk construction projects they’re evaluating. As professional engineers at PermaTrak, we take a support role in helping project managers, landscape architects and engineers pull together layout drawings for PermaTrak boardwalks and pedestrian bridges. Eventually these preliminary drawings can develop into a full set of detailed construction documents that can be incorporated into the bid drawings.

We love to see our concrete boardwalks being enjoyed by the community! On February 2, 2019, the Charlotte 10 Miler and 4 Mile Run took place in Charlotte, NC, with almost 1000 runners participating. The course for both races used the McAlpine Creek Greenway, which features two PermaTrak boardwalks.

We are thrilled to announce that a PermaTrak concrete boardwalk is slated to be installed later this year at Pikes Peak – the tallest summit of the Southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

The PermaTrak featured designer article series showcases top performing landscape architects and engineers who discuss their design perspective, current projects, challenges, and accomplishments.

Our latest featured designer is Ruben Graciano from JBI Partners, Inc. Ruben is a Landscape Architect who enjoys combining functionality and aesthetics to create memorable projects.

The PermaTrak featured designer article series showcases top performing landscape architects and engineers who discuss their design perspective, current projects, challenges, and accomplishments.

Our latest featured designer is Kara Beck, PLA from Eriksson Engineering Associates, Ltd. (EEA). Kara is a Landscape Architect who enjoys using her attention to detail to create unique spaces specific for a project’s user to enjoy. 

We recently talked with Kara about her background, advice for new landscape architects, and her experience with PermaTrak on a recent project. 

For some commercial boardwalk projects, loading requirements and design codes require a stronger PermaTrak tread (a “plank” on a timber boardwalk). For example, our boardwalk at Farmington Canal in Cheshire, CT needed to be rated for H-15 (30,000 lb.) vehicles, a standard that can’t be met with our typical tread lengths.

Julian B. Lane Park Expands, Including a PermaTrak Elevated Walkway

As part of the recent renovation at Tampa’s Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, PermaTrak has come alongside the city’s designers, engineers and landscape architects to install an elevated concrete walkway, which park-goers can use to enjoy the new sites and amenities.

The park’s $35 million renovation marks the most funding the City of Tampa has ever dedicated to a park. The new Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, opened to the public in May 2018, offers the community new access for kayaks, boating and aquatic sports, as well as tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a multi-use football field, areas for lacrosse and soccer and a performance pavilion with green spaces for concerts.

One question we hear often from engineers and architects is, “If the lifecycle of timber is so much shorter compared to PermaTrak, why is it one of your recommended foundations?”

Truss Bridge vs. Boardwalk System for Your Pedestrian Bridge Project

When designing a pedestrian bridge that crosses a wetland, creek, or stream, designers are faced with a choice—should you specify a truss bridge or a boardwalk system? Taking it one step further, what if the section of the trail you’re designing for is located in a remote area? I heard this question from a designer recently and thought I’d summarize my thoughts here…

First, it’s important to keep in mind that there are applications best suited for truss bridges, and there are applications best suited for boardwalk systems. Especially when it comes to pedestrian bridge design, there is no shortage of options for the engineer or landscape architect of record.

Hopefully what I’m sharing below helps you find the best solution for your project.