Inman Park MARTA Station Pedestrian Bridges Get FRP Makeover

DAYTON, Ohio– In 2017, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and the City of Atlanta launched a $2.5 billion expansion program in public transit—the largest in 40 years. The investment included the rehabilitation of two pedestrian bridges servicing the Inman Park/Reynoldstown Station on the Blue and Green Line. The North/DeKalb Avenue entrance gives pedestrians safe passage over vehicle traffic while the South/Seaboard Avenue entrance ferries commuters across railroad tracks. In 2020, the two pedestrian overpasses received fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) facelifts with FiberSPAN composite bridge decking.

The FiberSPAN product replaced heavy, decaying concrete. The lightweight, zero maintenance FRP decks allowed contractors to use the original steel trusses, minimizing the repair and labor costs associated with steel upgrades. “Access to the work site was limited,” says Scott Reeve, marketing director for Composite Advantage, now part of the Creative Composites Group. “It was difficult to maneuver the FRP panels into place, but precast concrete would have been prohibitive. Aside from problems with ingress, it would have taken longer to pour concrete and caused additional disruption and downtime for the rail station.”

Composite Advantage prefabricated panels that were integrally molded with curbs and crowns for water runoff to drainage scuppers with built-in 14 inch by 19.7 inch trenches. Design requirements included a live load of 90 psf, a wind uplift loading of 30 psf, and a minimum crushing strength of 150 psi. Both bridge decks meet an ASTM Class II flame-spread classification and can operate in a temperature range of -40 degrees Fahrenheit to 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Both decks also received an attractive, non-slip pedestrian grade polymer aggregate surface.

The North entrance pedestrian bridge deck consisted of 11 FRP panels with a total length of 138 feet. The South entrance bridge deck, comprised of 33 panels, had a total length of 394 feet and showcased some unique features such as 90-degree turns. Design flexibility, aesthetics, lightweight and life cycle longevity made FRP a robust choice for Inman Park MARTA station which recently re-opened to commuters and visitors.

Composite Advantage supplies innovative fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) products for major infrastructure markets. To create its engineered solutions, CA pairs progressive designs with its capability to mold large parts, perform on-site assembly, and support customer installations.  The supplier has been developing lightweight, high-strength, cost-effective FRP goods for structurally demanding applications and corrosive environments since 2005. Many of these products have paved the way for first-time use of FRP composites in infrastructure, rail and water applications because of their performance attributes.  The supplier’s comprehensive lineup includes bridge decks, trail bridges, cantilever sidewalks and rail platforms to fender protection systems, pilings, naval ship separators and other waterfront structures. CA is member of the Creative Composites Group, a subsidiary of Hill and Smith Holdings PLC.

Visit www.compositeadvantage.com or contact Composite Advantage at 937-723-9031 or info@compositeadvantage.com.