Last month we talked about the pedestrian bridge market’s rapid growth mirrored by expanding adoption of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) bridge decking. The composite material has become a favorite of bridge owners and Department of Transportation (DOT) agencies because of performance capabilities unique to FRP. The first two projects—Lane Place Pedestrian Bridge and Parkside Pedestrian Bridge—were installed on steel trusses prior to erection. We also talked about the technology we use to mold and prefabricate FiberSpan decking. We are the only composite manufacturer in the industry able to vacuum infuse large panels for bridge decks. In this blog we will take a look at two other projects we installed in 2024 that have some unique characteristics. They are the Marta East Lake Station North Pedestrian Bridge and the Henry Hudson Bridge Pedestrian Walkway.
MARTA EAST LAKE STATION NORTH PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE, ATLANTA, GEORGIA
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) East Lake Station opened in 1979 without an elevator on the north side—a major barrier to customers with limited mobility. In December 2024 MARTA announced the opening of a new elevator [Phase I) which provides access to the station’s north and south sides. The project included the need for cleaner and safer pedestrian bridges on the north and south sides. Familiar with CCG’s FiberSpan molded, prefabricated pedestrian decks [previously installed at Inman Park Station], MARTA sourced FiberSpan for its new project. Coordination with the design team allowed CCG engineers to accommodate special features such as a trench drain system prefabricated with a crown, curbs and scuppers. CCG was also able to provide its non-slip coating in two colors to create accent strips at each end of the panels for an aesthetic look. Seventeen deck panels on the south side and nine deck panels on the north side were installed on steel truss bridges. The large vacuum-infused panels reduced the number of panel-to-panel joints.
HENRY HUDSON BRIDGE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY, NEW YORK CITY
The Henry Hudson Bridge spans the Spuyten Duyvil Creek and connects the Bronx to Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park. Owned by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and operated by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Bridges and Tunnels, an MTA affiliate, the pedestrian walkway on the west side of the bridge’s lower level required renovations that included widening the sidewalk and adding ADA-compliant connections at both ends for full access. Complex geometry and specifications for a variety of features prompted NYSDOT to choose FiberSpan prefabricated, molded panels. CCG was also able to evaluate the original design for manufacturability and help the customer make some crucial modifications. To meet ADA requirements, CCG provided custom tapered shims on the bottoms of nearly half of the structure. A through bolt connection configuration allowed panels to be connected from the top, solving access issues below the panels at the east abutment. The ability to mold complex panel configurations allowed CCG to create an oval-shaped gathering area in the middle of the bridge for pedestrians and tourists to stop and enjoy the view. Railings were attached to the decking. FiberSpan’s light weight allowed the NYSDOT to quickly and efficiently erect the panels in an area of the park where access was limited and prohibited the use of large equipment.
Regardless of shape, design features, aesthetic elements of safety features, CCG’s skillsets coupled with the performance attributes of FRP make it the right solution to help customers solve today’s construction challenges. If you are looking to replace a bridge structure or need to renovate an existing span, we’d love to talk with you about how we can contribute to your project.
