Anne Springs Close Greenway Announces Plans for Collapsed Road Bridge
Two New Pedestrian Bridges to be Constructed by Spring 2025
Two new pedestrian bridges are planned for the Anne Springs Close Greenway nature preserve, connecting the Adventure Road and Blue Star entrances and serving as a main thoroughfare for hiking, dog walking and mountain biking across property. Surveying and technical reports are complete, which will help to establish locations for two new bridges across Steele Creek, including the collapsed road bridge, as well as another swinging bridge less than a mile upstream near the Field Trial Barn.
Careful consideration has been made to mitigate the environmental impact on the natural area surrounding the bridge locations, and a vendor will be selected for the work by mid-August. The new bridges will include boardwalks leading to a 10-foot-wide bridge spanning approximately 100 feet.
“We have been doing a lot of work behind the scenes to demo the existing bridge, and now we are focused on providing the Greenway with the best possible outcome to support the long-term sustainability of our trail system,” explained John Gordon, CEO of Leroy Springs & Co, which operates the Greenway. “In addition to the road bridge, we will also replace the original swinging bridge near the Field Trial Barn, which is approaching a 30-year lifespan. Our goal is to build something that will support our trail system for the next 50 years.”
The two-bridge solution was determined the most viable option due to its lesser environmental impact on the natural area surrounding the bridges and adjacent watershed. Two bridges will come at a substantial cost for the private non-profit organization, with current estimates totaling $1MM. The Anne Springs Close Greenway will consider an endowment distribution to offset the financial burden and ensure the project can be completed without detriment to other budgeted programs and facilities. The public will have an opportunity to financially support the project during the Greenway’s Giving Tuesday campaign on December 3.
Both bridges will be built above the 100-year flood plane to help mitigate detrimental outcomes because of flash flooding and other negative effects of increased stormwater flowing through Steele Creek, with trussing and boardwalks approaching both sides of the new bridges. Additional trail reroutes will be necessary once the bridges are in place. Construction should begin this fall and be completed in Spring 2025.
The failed road bridge was an abandoned stretch of DOT-owned highway that had been part of the Anne Springs Close Greenway trail system since shortly after opening in 1995. The road bridge collapsed after a series of significant rain events in February 2024. Current trail reroutes provide limited connectivity. The trail map can be found online at https://www.ascgreenway.org/trail-map/.
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About Anne Springs Close Greenway
Opened in 1995, the Anne Springs Close Greenway is a 2,100-acre natural preserve that offers hiking, biking, horseback riding, kayaking and more, while maintaining a natural habitat for wildlife. Its mission is to provide stewardship and protect the cultural, ecological and scenic features of the land, while also offering recreational and educational opportunities that promote the health and wellness of the community. Owned and operated by the nonprofit Leroy Springs & Co., Inc., the Greenway receives no tax money to build, maintain and operate trails and facilities. It is funded in part by the generous donations from individuals and corporations.