For bridge owners who need to add or modernize a walkway, the single most frequent question asked is, ‘How can an existing bridge structure safely support the weight of a shared-use path?’ The answer is a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite cantilever sidewalk.
WHEN YOU NEED A WIDER SIDEWALK FOR AN EXISTING BRIDGE STRUCTURE
For bridge owners who need to add or modernize a walkway, the single most frequent question asked is, ‘How can an existing bridge structure safely support the weight of a shared-use path?’ The answer is a Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composite cantilever sidewalk. The engineering principle of a cantilever is a structural element fixed at one end and free at the other. The fixed end is engineered to withstand the bending moments and shear stresses created by the load on the unsupported section—the end that hangs freely without the need for additional ground-level supports or columns underneath. Providing a safe space for foot traffic, separated from motor vehicle traffic, is more important today than ever, but adding concrete sidewalks to existing bridges is typically not structurally feasible due to the extra weight. Creative Composites Group’s (CCG) FRP composite cantilever sidewalks have been adopted as the go-to solution for bridge owners and state Department of Transportation agencies.
WHY FRP IS GAINING TRACTION WITH BRIDGE OWNERS WHO NEED WIDER SIDEWALKS
One out of three U.S. vehicle bridges need to be replaced or repaired. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) profile states that 74,472 bridges need replacement, while 38,192 structures need widening and rehabilitation. Sidewalks typically aren’t identified separately in bridge data because they are often considered a non-structural, functional part of the bridge deck and are included in the overall structure’s load calculations. Expanding interest in physical activity, mental health, and sustainability are driving demand for walkable communities. According to consumer reports, 90 percent of Gen Z and millennials—followed by retiring baby boomers— want walkable communities. The trend is influencing government investment in pedestrian-friendly infrastructure.
In the face of market pressures, bridge owners and state DOTs have turned to FRP. New pedestrian bridge sidewalks typically range from 6 ft. to 8 ft. wide. For long bridge spans, or busy urban areas, the code minimum for a shared use path is 10 ft. to 12 ft. to accommodate ADA requirements (3 feet minimum) with space for cyclists and walking groups. Composite panels are 80 percent lighter than concrete making them ideal for these applications. Since composite material is resistant to chemicals and water, the low maintenance cantilever sidewalks last longer. FRP’s design flexibility allows the material to be custom prefabricated to accommodate unique design requirements. FRP panels are also quick to install, reducing overall construction time and costs.
HOW APPLICATIONS FOR FRP CANTILEVER SIDEWALKS ARE EXPANDING
Uses for FRP cantilever sidewalks have grown to include vehicle bridges, elevated roadways, and rail trails. The composite sidewalks have also been adopted for the rehabilitation and repair of historic bridges due to their inherent weight restrictions. Since the first FRP cantilever sidewalk was installed in 2008, CCG has aggressively developed its technology and today is the only composite manufacturer supplying vacuum-infused molded panels and pultruded profiles for cantilever sidewalks.
PROJECT SHOWCASE—THE THREE SISTERS
In 2023, the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission (New Hope, Pennsylvania) completed a two-year rehabilitation project for Northampton Street Bridge. The structure spans the Delaware River and connects Easton, Pennsylvania and Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Designated a national civil engineering landmark in 1995, the 125-year-old three-lane vehicular bridge is the agency’s most heavily used non-toll span. The retrofitted FiberSPAN composite sidewalks were designed to cantilever off either side of the bridge’s steel truss structure. In 2022 a total of thirty-six panels, 25 ft. long and 10.5 ft. wide were installed in approximately four days. The cantilever sidewalks on the bridge’s north and south sides each comprised 22 panels for a total length of 550 ft. long.
In 2024, the DRJTBC chose an FRP cantilever sidewalk for its New Hope-Lambertville toll-supported bridge which connects New Hope Borough and the city of Lambertville. The 120-year-old bridge started as a wooden span that succumbed to a flood in 1903. A six-span steel, pin-connected Pratt-truss replacement bridge opened to traffic in 1904. The new FRP cantilever sidewalk was part of extensive rehabilitation performed on the structure. Fifty-four composite panels were installed for a sidewalk 1,052 ft. long.
A third rehabilitation project was launched by DRJTB in 2025 for its Uhlerstown-Frenchtown toll-supported bridge which connects Bridge Street/New Jersey Route 12 in Frenchtown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey with River Road/Pennsylvania Route 32 in the Uhlerstown section of Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. CCG supplied 48 FRP panels comprising a 950 ft. long cantilever sidewalk.
Initially DRJTBC expressed skepticism during the Northampton project about how the installation and fitment of the panels would go. The advantages of using FRP turned the commission into a repeat customer. Although weight was the common denominator for these projects, FRP provided another key advantage. These pedestrian bridges are not located inside a single city. FRP allowed the DRJTBC to connect cities and communities on opposite sides of a major river.
Need a sidewalk in a unique configuration or location? Got a historic structure that requires a delicate balance between preservation of original architecture and installation of advanced materials? Contact CCG. We can help you engineer the right solution for your application.
