West Point Engineers Construct Latest Bridge At Fahnestock

COLD SPRING, NY —For a fourth straight year, civil engineering cadets from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point have designed and constructed a bridge at Fahnestock State Park. The bridge replaced an older structure.

This year's bridge is a 15-foot-long and seven-foot-wide truss bridge with wood and cable railings, and it is located approximately 1.5 miles from Hubbard Lodge. The bridge crosses a tributary of the Clove Creek and has a five-ton carrying capacity. It is suitable for walkers, hikers, runners and equestrian.

The annual project is done in conjunction with the Open Space Institute (OSI) and the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP).

The effort is part of a capstone project for cadets studying engineering. The students designed the bridge, prefabricated and tested several structural components of the bridge at West Point and then transported the materials to Fahnestock State Park, where the bridge was installed. The bridge's support girders also were assembled on site.

In addition to principles of civil engineering, students learned new skills like welding, handling rebar and handling cables.

"We are truly blessed to have been able to design, model and actually construct the bridge," said Cadet Conrada Trejo, project managers for this year's bridge replacement project. "This project leaves us with a sense of pride and happiness knowing that many people will enjoy the bridge on their walks throughout the trail."

According to a release, OSI provided more than $4,000 toward the project from its Waletzky State Parks Fund for bridge materials. The organization has contributed more than $42,000 in support of the West Point cadet bridge replacement projects at Fahnestock.

Meanwhile, OPRHP supplied additional on-site coordination and equipment and obtained the appropriate permits from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

"I smile every time I walk through the woods and come upon one of these fabulous bridges. They represent so much more than a water crossing," said Linda Cooper, State Parks regional director. "State Parks is proud to partner with West Point cadets and professors. We are grateful to OSI for funding the materials and allowing this win-win to be accomplished for public benefit."

The bridge replacements are part of the larger Hubbard Perkins Loop improvement project on which OSI is collaborating with OPRHP. Previous bridge designs by the cadets include: twin 30-foot steel girder bridges, a raised flat bridge with a prominent "A" design in the railing and an arch suspension bridge.