Cady Way Trail and Pedestrian Bridge

RS&H provided design and permitting services for Phase II of the Cady Way Trail in Orlando, Florida. This multi-use pedestrian trail is part of the Rails-to-Trails program in which abandoned railroad right-of-way is converted for public use. The project connected two existing portions of the trail and included two bridges: a 685-foot bridge over SR 436 and a 90-foot bridge over the Crane Strand Canal.

As its centerpiece, the trail also included a new pedestrian bridge over SR 436. Serving as a gateway to Orange County, the structure creates a dramatic visual statement and simultaneously blends with the variety of neighboring businesses. The thin elements of the basket-handle arch design resulted in a sleek, dramatic statement while still allowing those viewing the bridge to see the surrounding environment through the structure rather than creating a visual obstruction.

Because of the numerous pressurized utilities near the bridge site, such as gas, potable water, sanitary sewer, and reclaimed water lines, the team used an innovative deep-pile foundation system versus shallow-spread footings, which safeguards against the potential loss of foundation materials should any of the pressurized utilities ever fail.