Update on Bridge project, new need
Bill Tindall, E.Tn.
Recall I am project manager for turning this RR bridge into a Rails to Trials.
The bridge will be stripped to steel, ties replaced and a 2 x 6 deck placed on the ties. An engineering firm has prepared the prints which will go for Virginia government approval. This construction is ubiquitous for Rails to Trails bridges in our region. I had no option or motivation to change it.
I found the rail had a host of conflicting constraints. This bridge is high. The rail needed to feel secure so a rail height greater than the code minimum 42" was specified (46"). The rail opening had to be less than 4" and able withstand 200 pounds of vertical or horizontal impact. The rail had to provide a smooth surface to avoid injury from out of control bikers (preteen males)crashing into it. The rail had to dissuade anyone standing or even sitting on it. We had to able able to afford it. It needed to look rustic to go with the spirit of the woodsy trail. Not much design space was left.
I settled on the design shown in this picture. The estimated rail cost will be $96,000, a daunting amount to raise from private donations, but we got there.
Now I have another design need. A road crosses the trail about 400' from the bridge. We need to block vehicle access to the bridge. The trail at this point is 50' across with high banks on either side. The barricade needs to block 50' while allowing bike passage and authorized vehicle passage.
I need an inexpensive, attractive, effective barricade design. Suggestions- cable, chain, gate, other? The rest of the barricade- rocks, ties on end, other? What do you see on trails of this kind?
Yes the bridge steel needs paint. The estimate to paint it is $175,000. Not going to happen until some government with lots of money assumes the trail.
