Northern Parkway Case Study
A highway expansion project isn’t always about adding more lanes and reducing traffic. A highway sets the stage for what the surrounding areas bring to the table, giving those riding by an idea about the town or city beyond the main road.
The Northern Parkway highway expansion in the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area knew it was time to transform their highway to breathe some life into the region’s infrastructure. The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) didn’t just want to focus on the pavement, though. They wanted the landscaping along the highway to captivate people’s attention. But that’s not all — they wanted this stunning landscaping without excessive maintenance.
Seems like a tall order, right? Well, it isn’t with the right partners.
Our team at Permaloc understood the demands of this project and was up to the challenge. By providing our CleanLine™ XL 8-inch black aluminum edging, we helped the scene come to life with both functional and aesthetic benefits.
Land Tech Services was the selected contractor for this project. Their president, Eric Wilkinson, delved deep into how our solution was selected and implemented, along with the challenges and successes that arose throughout the project.
The Project
The Northern Parkway is a major roadway in the Phoenix metro area, and ADOT was tasked with expanding it to improve regional connectivity. The project called for extensive roadwork, landscaping and decorative elements to elevate both function and visual appeal.
Eric Wilkinson and his team at Land Tech Services were brought on to source the right materials for the job. The challenge? Find a solution that could meet strict design requirements, withstand Phoenix’s harsh climate and stay within budget
The project initially specified welded steel edging, but Wilkinson knew the project’s cost and timeline constraints would make it impossible to proceed with the original specs.
When Wilkinson began searching for alternatives to steel, he stumbled upon Permaloc’s aluminum edging solutions.
The Search for the Right Edging
After scouring the internet and reviewing various options, it became clear that Permaloc offered the best solution for the project.
“Permaloc had the perfect depth for the design I needed,” Wilkinson noted. “We were placing the edging around decomposed granite and decorative stone, and I wanted to ensure the material would not bow under the weight of all the decorative rocks. Aluminum edging would give us the durability and ease of installation we needed while being cost-effective.”
The design called for large, smooth arcs — a feature that would have been difficult to achieve with steel. On top of that, working with 20-foot lengths of steel edging would have significantly slowed down production.
The bridge construction on the Northern Parkway highway had to happen first, leaving landscaping last. Any production slowdown would delay the timeline too much, and budgets tend to get tighter toward the end of a project.
However, through his research, Wilkinson discovered he could achieve the design he needed with the flexibility of Permaloc’s aluminum edging without slowing down the expected timeline or going over budget.
The Challenge
Once installation began, Land Tech Services ran into unexpected challenges. The first major hurdle was the unique conditions of the job site. The project was located along a highway and the ground had a mix of river rock, existing concrete and other debris that often isn’t found on surface level sites.
Drilling the holes needed for the edging spikes became increasingly difficult, especially under the intense Arizona heat, making the work physically demanding.
“We weren’t told beforehand that we’d be dealing with river rock right at the surface,” explained Wilkinson. “That added a level of complexity that we hadn’t accounted for.”
Despite these setbacks, Land Tech Services remained focused on finding solutions and decided to bring in an additional crew to speed up the process.
Why Aluminum Edging Was the Right Choice
Once the job site challenges were navigated and the installation was complete it was evident that aluminum edging was the right choice.
“Aluminum was a clear winner in terms of cost and ease of installation,” said Wilkinson. “It allowed us to quickly shape the landscape, achieve the arcs we needed and, most importantly, stay on schedule.”
The advantages of aluminum over steel were undeniable. Aluminum is resistant to rust, making it well-suited for long-term performance in Arizona’s harsh desert climate. Aluminum’s lightweight nature also made it easier to handle and install, helping reduce labor costs and keep the project on schedule.
For a high-traffic highway landscape that required both durability and visual precision, aluminum proved to be the ideal material. With over 8,000 tons of decomposed granite used in this project, Permaloc’s aluminum edging stands out with its ability to maintain a professional, clean look while providing effective soil retention.
ADOT no longer has to worry about granite or other landscape materials spilling into high-traffic areas. The Land Tech Services team brought the design to life without the limitations of the originally specified steel.
A Parkway to Stand the Test of Time
The Northern Parkway project took two years to complete, from the initial design to the final installation. The final result is a beautiful, low-maintenance landscape designed to stand the test of time, delivering long-term benefits to both the local community and ADOT.
This project was a true collaboration between Permaloc, Land Tech Services and ADOT. By selecting the right materials and overcoming obstacles, the team delivered a solution that would bring safety and aesthetic appeal to the Phoenix community for many years.
The Northern Parkway landscaping project demonstrates the power of thoughtful material selection and its impact on a project’s success. Permaloc’s aluminum edging provided a durable, low-maintenance solution that helped deliver a high-quality final product.
Interested in edging for an upcoming landscaping project? Explore our products today to transform your next project with the durability, versatility and elegance of aluminum edging.
