Two critical factors were instrumental in the selection of the PermaTrak precast concrete boardwalk system from Rocla for the Liverpool stage of ARTC’s Southern Sydney Freight Line Project. The boardwalk system’s reduced maintenance requirements combined with its high degree of design flexibility were key reasons for the selection.

The project was executed by Ford Civil for the Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) with more than 1,700 units of PermaTrak three-metre tread used in the creation of the boardwalk. The project required both standard treads and a tapered version that allowed for the creation of curves with a radius as tight as 11 metres. Given the number of obstacles to be negotiated in the boardwalk project, the flexibility offered by the tapered system was a big advantage for the contractor.

The Rocla system’s flexibility also included a number of alternatives for easy fixing of steel guard rails.

Rocla ensured a successful outcome for the boardwalk contract by partnering with Ford Civil and design consultants Aurecon well in advance of the project to provide design support for the layout and connection details.