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Smart Options for Pedestrian Bridges in Limited-access Sites
By their very nature, pedestrian bridges exist to provide access – whether that’s over a stream or road, across a ravine, or above a muddy or unstable area of ground. But what if the location for the bridge is remote and difficult to access? Can a bridge even be built in these conditions?
Some locations can only be accessed on foot or with very small equipment, or pose other construction challenges, such as:
- Backwoods hiking trails far from maintained paths
- Areas with heavy pedestrian traffic and limited “off” hours in which to build
- Ground that is very uneven, rocky, or sloped
- Heavily wooded sites
But there are functional and aesthetic bridge solutions for all of these, as we’ll explain here.
Prefabricated Bridges for Limited-access Locations
Pedestrian bridges can be entirely fabricated offsite, transported to their final location, and installed with minimal excavation, concrete, or additional construction. Unfortunately, this approach, while convenient, requires at least some space for equipment like trucks and small-scale earthmoving machines.
But when that space just doesn’t exist, prefab bridges can be made in modular units. Each section is designed and built to be assembled and secured at the job site. As a result, pieces can be manufactured in dimensions that work for the situation, whether that’s large sections of railing that fit on a utility cart or smaller panels that can be hand carried.
Another advantage of modular bridge design is that it is often faster than building onsite. Most of the work happens in a fabrication facility where weather and soil conditions don’t impact production time. Installation is generally quick since the pieces are made to fit together easily. That usually means less labor is required to build the bridge too. And in high-traffic areas, fast installation keeps foot traffic diversion or closure to a minimum.
Materials that Make Remote Installation Easy
If the only way to the site is on foot, components made from lightweight yet durable materials are critical, such as:
- Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) for decking, trusses, and railings
- Aluminum for railings
- Composite lumber for decking
- Treated lumber for decking
For example, compare a steel to a fiberglass truss bridge. For sites with easy access, the steel truss bridge is typically chosen, while the fiberglass option is chosen for very remote locations. This is because the fiberglass truss is significantly lighter and requires smaller equipment or manpower to install.
Learn more about material options here.
Another way to make bridge installation easy in remote locations is by using compact, lightweight helical piles. They’re easy to transport and are used instead of concrete footings to secure the bridge in the ground. Resembling giant wood screws, helical piles are quick and easy to install and don’t require digging. What’s more, using helical piles reduces the amount of concrete to haul in, mix, and pour (bridge abutments will still require concrete).
Need a Bridge? Let’s Talk!
At Axcess LLC, we focus on complete bridge solutions from design to construction to installation in a variety of settings. We’ve worked with parks, land developers, municipalities, and even private homeowners and we can make a pedestrian bridge that meets your requirements too. Please contact us!
