You might expect to see ReadySpan trail bridges in state and municipal parks, but did you know ReadySpan bridges are also used for maintenance access, water facilities and more? From public lands to golf courses to industrial sites, ReadySpan bridges are ideal because they last much longer than wood and metal bridges, plus they maintain their attractive appearance.
Whether you need a park bridge that can handle pedestrian, bike and horse traffic, an industrial bridge that needs to hold up under the weight of H5 maintenance vehicles, or a golf bridge that can take a beating from cart drivers (and angry club-throwers), the Bedford fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP) materials in ReadySpan bridges ensure decades of top-quality performance.
In the video below, ReadySpan Sales Account Manager Ted Harris covers why ReadySpan pedestrian, equestrian and light vehicle bridges are the choice of parks, greenways, homeowner associations, tank farms, dam water control access and much more.
Constructed for the Conditions
Two bridges placed side by side may look the same at a glance yet be very different in their capabilities. It’s important that your bridge meet the needs for both your application and your climate. Extreme heat, heavy snowfall, various traffic types and more affect the weight requirements of the bridge. That’s why the Bedford team works with you to ensure your ReadySpan trail bridge, ATV bridge or industrial bridge is designed just right for your conditions.
Uniform Live Load is a structural engineering term that refers to the maximum expected weight of the bridge’s intended use. Bedford engineers follow strict guidelines to ensure that the design load of your bridge can handle the conditions. For example, the live load of a pedestrian bridge ranging from 3' to 6' wide with a length between 10' and 90' needs to be 85 pounds per square foot (PSF). For pedestrian bridges ranging from 7' to 10' wide, the live load requirement is 60-85 PSF depending on the length of the bridge.
But you can’t stop there. Geography matters, too. Suppose your trail bridge is in a heavy wind or cold weather location, or perhaps there are special seismic conditions. ReadySpan bridges account for a region’s Snow Load, Wind Load and Seismic Load to help ensure long-term safety and performance.
Also, if your bridge is going to have horse or utility vehicle traffic, then your ReadySpan team will perform additional live load calculations so that your bridge will be designed to ensure your needs are met. Other bridge manufacturers charge extra for a structural analysis, but we strongly believe that safety should be the first priority of every bridge design. That’s why a structural analysis is included with every ReadySpan bridge as part of our service.
You can see how different load needs were met for different ReadySpan bridges by downloading our Project Data Sheet. Again, some bridges may look the same at a glance, but as you’ll see, the load conditions are always unique to the application. We’ll work with you to ensure that your ReadySpan pedestrian, equestrian or light vehicle bridge is truly ready to meet your needs for decades to come.
Constructed for Aesthetics, Too
In addition to durability, each ReadySpan trail bridge is designed to blend in perfectly with the surroundings. All materials are available in brown and olive green, and the color won’t fade or peel off because it’s integrated into the components rather than brushed on. You won’t have to worry about the color deterioration or cracking like you’d get with a wooden bridge or the rust stains and corrosion you’d experience with a metal bridge. And since FRP is virtually maintenance free, you can simply enjoy your bridge rather than spend time repainting or spraying for insects.
Here to Help
From proper load specifications and a structural analysis to an aesthetically pleasing design, our knowledgeable ReadySpan team can help you get the pedestrian, equestrian or light vehicle bridge you want. Reach out with questions, request a quote, or call 814-623-8125 to discuss your project.