Contributed Content Contributed Content- DICA Fluid Control Services
Setting the Groundwork
Matching matting to the application makes the right resources available when and where they are needed
By Kris Koberg
Utility construction presents unique challenges when establishing safe, reliable access to work areas. Unlike many commercial construction projects where operations remain within a defined footprint, utility work often extends across miles of changing terrain. Crews may move from paved roads to agricultural fields, wetlands, wooded rights-of-way, or residential easements during a single project. Equipment requirements also vary by application, from routine distribution maintenance and transmission construction to emergency restoration following severe weather.
Because every project presents different conditions, selecting the right matting system requires evaluating equipment, ground conditions, traffic patterns, project duration, and site logistics together rather than relying on any single factor. Application Matters
Distribution crews typically operate bucket trucks, service trucks, pickup trucks, and smaller digger derricks while performing maintenance, service upgrades, and emergency response. Work is often completed at multiple locations throughout the day, making portability and speed of deployment important considerations. Matting that can be transported easily and installed without dedicated lifting equipment allows crews to respond quickly when access conditions change unexpectedly.
Composite mats are commonly used in these applications because they provide sufficient support for wheeled utility equipment while remaining practical for frequent deployment.
Transmission construction presents a different operating environment. Projects often extend across undeveloped rights-of-way where crews must establish access
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