Every rockfall event starts with a block that was loose on the slope face. Along I-76 along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Route 22 through the Lehigh Valley, I-80 across the Allegheny Plateau, and I-99 through the Ridge and Valley, Appalachian fold-and-thrust belt sandstone, limestone, and shale beds along highway rock cuts produce weathered, fractured rock faces where loose blocks, wedges, and slabs accumulate over time. Scaling removes this material proactively — reducing the frequency and severity of rockfall events before they occur.
Access Limited performs mechanical, manual, and remote scaling operations across Pennsylvania — using Spider Excavators, rope-access crews, and controlled blasting to address every scale of loose rock removal.
Mechanical scaling uses Spider Excavators to remove loose rock from steep slope faces with hydraulic breakers, buckets, and ripping tools. The Spider Excavator's ability to walk on slopes exceeding 60 degrees makes it the most productive mechanical scaling tool available.
Manual scaling uses rope-access technicians to hand-scale individual blocks, wedges, and loose material from exposed rock faces. This method is used where precision is required or where equipment access is not feasible.
Remote scaling uses long-reach equipment or controlled blasting to remove large unstable masses from slope faces without placing personnel directly on the face.
Controlled blasting removes large rock masses that cannot be addressed by mechanical or manual methods. Access Limited coordinates controlled blasting operations with full traffic management and safety planning.
Oversized boulders that have already detached but are too large to handle intact require breaking before removal. Access Limited uses hydraulic breakers and controlled methods to reduce boulders to manageable sizes.
Access Limited's Cementon Road Bridge project showcased the specialized capability PennDOT corridors demand.
See why PennDOT, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Norfolk Southern and CSX rail, mining operators, and utility providers trust Access Limited for rock scaling services and rockfall mitigation across Pennsylvania.
Access Limited delivers specialized rock scaling services across Pennsylvania's rockfall corridors. Complete the form to request an assessment or call our team directly.
