Amherst, MA

Norwottuck Trail Pedestrian Bridge

Scope/Solutions
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Project Summary

Scope/Solutions

Constructed in the late 1800s, the Norwottuck Trail Pedestrian Bridge carries the recreational bicycle and walking path over Snell Street. The steel through-girder structure was corroded and the east girder had a large hole. Additionally, the restricted vertical clearance of the former railroad bridge contributed to a truck striking and damaging the bridge. SGH investigated the bridge’s condition and designed a replacement structure.

SGH surveyed the single-span superstructure and determined that the cost of replacing the superstructure was only marginally more than repairing, redecking, and repainting it.

Based on this conclusion, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) decided to replace the structure. SGH established the final scope, evaluated the cost and benefits of raising the trail profile, developed preliminary plans, and helped the DCR prepare for and conduct a public hearing regarding the plans for the replacement.

SGH designed a steel through-girder bridge that increased the vertical clearance over the roadway by 1 ft without raising the trail profile. Working with DCR, the Town of Amherst, and Amherst College, we helped establish a temporary detour route for pedestrians and bicyclists during construction.