Trail Maintenance and Operation - Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Trail Maintenance and Operation - Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Trail Maintenance and Operation - Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
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Bridges <strong>and</strong> Tunnels<br />
Table 13: Materials for Bridge Structures<br />
<strong>and</strong> Surfaces<br />
MATERIAL STRUCTURE SURFACE<br />
Metal 66% 4%<br />
Wood 48% 63%<br />
Concrete 39% 20%<br />
Other 6% 1%<br />
Fiberglass 1% N/A<br />
Asphalt N/A 18%<br />
S<strong>to</strong>ne/dirt/cinders N/A 12%<br />
According <strong>to</strong> the survey most rail-trails have at least one bridge. A<br />
few also have a tunnel or two. These are often the most interesting<br />
<strong>and</strong> scenic points along the trail. They can also be the areas of greatest<br />
concern for construction, maintenance <strong>and</strong> liability. <strong>Trail</strong>s often utilize existing rail<br />
bridges with varying degrees of rehabilitation, <strong>and</strong> sometimes have <strong>to</strong> resort <strong>to</strong><br />
completely new bridges. In terms of a bridge’s construction <strong>and</strong> materials the<br />
following circumstances were reported:<br />
Existing rail bridge (reconstructed) 36%<br />
Existing rail bridge (minor repairs) 35%<br />
New bike/ped only bridge 28%<br />
Existing rail bridge (used as-is) 22%<br />
New vehicular type bridge 14%<br />
Bridge structures <strong>and</strong> decks were constructed of the materials shown in Table<br />
13.<br />
The orientation of wood decking relative <strong>to</strong> the direction of travel can be a<br />
concern <strong>to</strong> bicyclists because tires may get pinched in the spaces between boards.<br />
The orientations reported were:<br />
Perpendicular 53%<br />
Diagonal 20%<br />
Parallel 2%<br />
Table 14: Bridge Railing Height<br />
Henry Hudson <strong>Trail</strong>, N.J. (Boyd Loving)<br />
20 • RAIL-TRAIL MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS