{CAS}t - Coastal Access System

Project Summery:

{CAS}t is a cost effective low impact pedestrian walkway system designed to provide coastal access through environmentally fragile, unstable or damaged sites. {CAS}t allows surfers, spectators and park visitors a new safe and environmentally responsible way of using, engaging and accessing the coastal environment. This is primarily achieved by using an elevated steel walkway system. By using a steel cable truss design {CAS}t is able span long distances while touching the ground in the lightest way possible. 

Environmental Response:

{CAS}t allows for damaged costal wetland habitats to re-emerge as a thriving ecosystem by removing all pedestrian traffic from the ground plane. The design of the walkways allows for the use of minimally intrusive construction methods that would not further setback the habitat restoration process. {CAS}t also seeks to further educate the public on wetland habitat loss and restoration. Many points along the path have been designed to provide the visitor with the opportunity to experience the coastal environment at many different speeds, proximity's and scales. An overlook / surf condition check point is provide within easy walking distance of the parking lot. The walkway then continues down towards the tracks with many opportunities to observe plant and wildlife. After crossing the railway tracks the user enters one of three shelters along the path providing shade. The shelter located along the railway tracks is also intended to act as a gateway to the wetland area. 

Construction:

{CAS}t uses a standardized “kit of parts” to construct all major project elements. {CAS}t is designed using a small number of parts (a “kit”) to construct all ramps, stairs, walkways and shelters. By developing a kit it is hoped that this system could not only be used to remediate environmental conditions at Trestles, but that the system could also be easily implemented in other environmentally sensitive areas. The walkways are made from a lightweight steel frame tensioned with a steel cable rigging system. This structural system allows for the entire project to be suspended between a relatively small number of pylons when compared to a traditional boardwalk.