Designing trail bridges based on trail-specific Trail Management Objectives (TMOs) is essential for providing the desired trail experience, for ensuring user safety, and for maximizing bridge longevity.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, is one of the most prominent Federal agencies when it comes to trail and trail bridge management. The Forest Service manages more than 158,000 miles of trails and more than 6,700 trail bridges. Designing trail bridges based on trail-specific Trail Management objectives (TMOs) is essential for providing the desired trail experience, for ensuring user safety, and for maximizing bridge longevity. Managing a trail bridge for sustainability requires proper siting, good design details, routine inspections, and maintenance. Additionally, timely maintenance and repair are less costly than replacing bridges because of neglect or failure.
This report focuses on designing new, short, single-span, wooden trail bridges that the Forest Service classifies as minor and major trail bridges. This report also briefly addresses other bridge types and materials outside the minor and major trail bridge classifications. The Forest Service “Trail Bridge Catalog” website provides further pictures and information on trail bridge types, decks, rail systems, materials, and abutments.
Published March 2020
To sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.
posted Jun 15, 2020
Guidelines for accessing, designing, and building launch sites for carry-in watercraft.
Hawaiian Island Trail Bridge Re-Opens Trail to Remote Community
posted May 15, 2020
The 3-mile long Kalaupapa Trail is the only access point in and out of the remote community of Kalaupapa on the Hawaiian island of Molokai. When a land-slide took out an old aluminum bridge, cutting off this access point, park officials looked to an FRP bridge for its light weight, corrosion resistance, and design flexibility.
Ramps for Accessible Trails and Shared-Use Pathways
posted Nov 5, 2019
Ramps, typically used for building access, are often provided on trails.
Steel Trail Bridges on Shared-use Urban Pathways
posted Oct 24, 2019
A variety of steel-frame commercial bridges along typical multiple-use trails.
