Nature Bridges Blog

Our nation’s infrastructure evolves rapidly, but we also try to preserve what we can of the past. Restoring old pathways and other structures that have been weathered over the years gives us a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of history. When we work to restore historical structures, our goal is to preserve the past.  Research and Planning Whether a pathway winds through the country or the heart of a historic city, they have been a part of the past. They have seen years of people walking across them to their jobs, to cultural events, and more. The decision […]

Read More… from Restoration: How History and the Environment can be Preserved

Long-span bridges include a lot of space between their supports, and that allows them to cover wider gaps like deep valleys and very wide rivers. Supports are critical for bridges, so when there isn’t much space to include them, bridge designers and engineers need to spend additional time calculating estimated load and how to includes enough support for the long bridge using minimal space. This advanced structural design, coupled with materials and construction techniques, can help ensure that two distant points are safely connected. Materials and Forms Long-span bridges need materials that can hold up to immense forces, but they […]

Read More… from The Wonder of Engineering: Long-Span Bridge Construction

Construction is traditionally a male-dominated field, but that the industry continues to be shaped and redefined. Many women have stepped into the structural stage, especially in bridge construction. According to statistics from the National Association of Women in Construction, about 10.9% of the U.S. construction workforce are women as of 2022. This number has increased over the last decades, with just around 2.4% of construction trade workers being women in 2002. Construction Now and in the Future Anyone can bring a unique expertise to the construction industry. Project management and engineering are important skills, as well as a passion for […]

Read More… from Building Bridges: Celebrating Women in Construction

Boardwalks are a way to get from one place to another, especially through rough or environmentally sensitive terrain. Many boardwalk builders and beachgoers have embraced the charm of a walk along a boardwalk. They are much more than that, however! A boardwalk can have a noticeable impact on the community, tourism, and economy. Historic Appeal Nostalgia is one of the great appeals of a boardwalk. Think about Coney Island in New York or the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California. These walkways bring in tourists who want to walk where many others have walked. The history behind these boardwalks, and […]

Read More… from Boardwalks: Building Tourism

Bridge construction is complex and requires that the crew carefully plans and executes the bridge design. Through using sustainable materials, incorporating proper drainage, and other methods, bridge constructors can lessen the impact to the environment. Another method of reducing environmental impact is through using top down construction. This process builds a bridge or boardwalk starting from the top and working downwards, while traditional techniques start at the ground. Top down construction’s environmental impact is minimal because it doesn’t disturb the ground as much as traditional construction, but there are other benefits as well. Improved Safety Measures Safety is important for […]

Read More… from Top Down Construction and the Impact on Local Environments

There is more to coastal habitats than their beauty and a way for people to enjoy nature. Mangroves, marshes, coral reefs, and dunes are vital ecosystems that sustain ocean life. They also lessen the impact of climate change by storing carbon, absorbing farm runoff, protecting the shoreline from the effects of storms, and more. However, coastal habitats are in danger from human activities like coastal development, and while they can absorb some of the impact of climate change, that also puts them at risk. Preserving these valuable environments means using a combination of strategies. Raising Awareness One of the most […]

Read More… from Preserving Coastal Habitats

Thousands of years ago, the first bridges were simple wooden structures, usually over a stream or river. Over the years, bridges have evolved into increasingly complex designs that take form and function into account. The primary concern of bridge designers is always safety, but many designers have created intricate or artistic designs that are unique and beautiful. While there are many unique bridge designs, here are a few that stand out in different ways. Living Root Bridges PJeganathan, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons In India, over 100 incredible natural bridges have been made in the region of Meghalaya. […]

Read More… from Unique Bridge Designs from Around the World

Every boardwalk owner is different, as is every boardwalk. Many people think that the reason for most of those differences is the designer’s style and the owner’s personal opinion of materials. That is one consideration, but the designer doesn’t design a boardwalk based only on style preferences. There are many other factors put into creating the perfect boardwalk for an area. The most important is functionality, and part of that is finding the right type of foundation. Several foundation materials can be used in boardwalk construction, such as wood, fiberglass, and concrete. The foundation can also be deep or shallow. […]

Read More… from Boardwalk Foundation Considerations