Once the second-largest steel producer in the world, Bethlehem Steel remains a symbolic reminder of the prosperity, ingenuity and strength of the American worker.
Shut down in 1995, the steel-making giant has come to life again, thanks to a revitalization project that transformed the brownfield into a public exhibit.
At the heart of the project is a commemorative half-mile walkway named after the original Hoover Mason Trestle rail tracks, which quietly sit nearly 50 feet below.
The new trestle serves as a path to the past, as well as a window to the creation of some of our greatest landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and the Hoover Dam.
(The Hoover Mason Trestle is a commemorative walkway that allows visitors to come an arms-length away from the old blast furnaces while standing above the old rail line. Courtesy of ElectricTV and YouTube)
Ohio Gratings, which worked on the Bethlehem Redevelopment Authority project with Wallace Robert and Todd Architects, manufactured the walkway using grating that included Ross Technology’s ALGRIP® slip-resistant surface.
Ross Technology is a competitor in the 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, in a number of categories.
ALGRIP’s patented CNC laser-welding process applies custom-alloy deposits deep into the metal substrate to provide exceptional traction and unparalleled service life.
In addition to meeting the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Ohio Gratings was challenged by the Redevelopment Authority to meet the following design goals:
- Create a durable walkway that supports a maintenance vehicle
- Create a surface with open areas to allow visitors to easily view the rail line below
- Create a walkway that is considerate to patrons wearing high heels
To create an open view, while still protecting high heel wearers, Ohio Gratings varied the grating used on the 8-foot-wide trestle to provide two surface types.
One section offered 1/2-inch spacing for an open view to see below, and a second section used a narrow 5/16-inch spacing to accommodate high heels.
To address the ADA and durability goals, Ohio Gratings recommended its carbon steel Wheels n’ Heels® Metro® product.
Also used by Ross for Consolidated Edison’s utility grates in New York City, Metro is the first grating product to satisfy both the vehicle loading requirements of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, as well as the pedestrian requirements of the ADA.
When it comes to recommending the proper slip-resistant product, Ken Apperson, Director of Engineering and Product Development for Ohio Gratings, says he’s confident in ALGRIP.
“ALGRIP is tried and true in the industry,” Ken says.
“It performs very well and you don’t have to worry about performing maintenance on it. Working with Ross Technology is a great partnership, one that we’ve had for over 20 years, and the relationship couldn’t be closer.”
Ross Technology in 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program
The 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of Physical, IT, Port Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, (Fire, EMT, Military, Support Services Vets, SBA, Medical Tech) as well as the Federal, State, County and Municipal Government Agencies – to acknowledge their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
As an ‘ASTORS’ competitor, Ross Technology’s products will be competing against the industries leading providers of Perimeter Barriers, Deterrent and Fencing Systems, and Federal Government Security Programs.
Good luck to the Ross Technology on becoming a Winner of the 2017 American Security Today’s Homeland Security Awards Program!
To learn more about Ross Technology’s diverse line of physical security and public safety solutions that protect people, property & products in a wide range of applications, including antiterrorism/force protection, please visit the company’s website at www.rosstechnology.com
