Challenge
Following the vision of Dennis T. Machida, the California Tahoe Conservancy’s first executive director, six agency partners across local, state, and federal jurisdictions collaborated to create a multi-use bicycle and pedestrian trail in South Lake Tahoe.
At the heart of the success of the project, the stakeholders shared a common purpose: a unified focus on ecological preservation and protecting the riparian habitat whenever possible. Both short-term and long-term environmental impacts were considered and weighed heavily for project decision-makers.
Project planners also sought longevity and durability in selecting a material for the boardwalk section of the trail. The municipalities, responsible for taking care of the trail post-construction, were looking for a no-maintenance option. The material needed to be resilient in the midst of climate change and able to withstand seasonal snow removal so the trail is accessible year round.
Solution
PermaTrak’s precast concrete boardwalks were chosen as the solution for the project’s goals of protecting the environment and requiring no maintenance for decades to come, even in a harsh winter climate.
Precast concrete is a durable material. It is well-suited to harsh environments, including those that get very cold, very wet, or very hot. Unlike pressure treated wood or timber, concrete does not bow, warp, or twist. Instead, the reinforced precast concrete PermaTrak system is actually built to get stronger over time and has a design life of 50-75 years.
“PermaTrak’s engineers and support team understood our end goal,” reflects Donaldo Palaroan, Senior Civil Engineer with the County of El Dorado. “They were very open and honest throughout the design process. Even through construction, they worked closely with the contractor ensuring that everyone understood the product and that we minimized our impact on the environment. It was just what we needed to accomplish our project goals.”
Check out this visual Story map honoring Dennis T. Machida and celebrating the completion of the project
