THE CHALLENGE: The Quinnipiac Project included the construction of a new Pedestrian Bridge to span a small watercourse and associated wetland area so as to minimize environmental impacts.  The new bridge was designed primarily as the sole handicapped pedestrian accessible access to a new dormitory, and for use by small campus maintenance vehicles.

THE SOLUTION: The new bridge consisted of an AASHTO designed timber superstructure on timber pile bents and reinforced concrete abutments. The bridge layout was designed along an arc to eliminate the visual "tunnel" effect on pedestrians looking down a long, straight, narrow bridge deck.

The bridge length is 164 feet with a clear width between bridge rails of approximately 7.5 feet. Rail components selected by the Project Architect were round members, designed in accordance with AASHTO standards for bicycle safety.

The superstructure consisted of a timber plank deck on timber stringers supported at each bent with timber girders. Timbers were treated with a combination of water-borne preservatives or creosote. All fasteners were hot-dipped galvanized, and bolt threads were disrupted at the face of nut to prevent vandals from dismantling timber components.

An approach rail system matching that on the superstructure and a deck lighting system completed the final design details.

The bridge was completed in 1994. Final construction cost was approximately $110,000.

Complete bridge engineering design services were provided by Nathan L. Jacobson & Associates, Inc. Project management was directed by an associate of the firm, specializing in bridge design. Services included everything from initial consultations with the Project Architect and presentation to Town officials, through project closeout.