A new footbridge will span a large ravine at Kirby Nature Preserve, providing access to an isolated part of the preserve. The bridge has been designed by engineering students from the Miami University Student Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, a nonprofit organization. The Miami University student chapter of Engineers
without Borders includes students, faculty, and professional mentors. They have local projects in Cincinnati and Dayton, and international projects in Rwanda and Uganda. Their projects have included bridges, greenhouses, and clean water.
The Kirby Nature Preserve footbridge project began in 2020 and everyone is excited that we are nearing completion and should be done by the end of the year! Thanks to all of the volunteers who have helped with the design and labor. Especially Mike Brunner, a retired engineer, who is the project mentor and leader.
The new bridge will extend over the creek that parallels the Creekside Trail, which goes from the prairie to Gallia Road. This creek also parallels South Road and is a tributary of the Muddy Creek. The creek runs through a rather deep and rocky
chasm, and it is very hard to cross and go up the other side.
The new bridge will be 80 feet long and 15 feet above the creek below. The bridge will consist of two parallel steel trusses, with a wood deck and railings on top, anchored at each end by concrete abutments. The bridge is designed to hold 15 humans at a time. These young engineers checked and rechecked their calculations!
When this group completes this bridge, they will begin working on similar bridges in Hueston Woods State Park, just north of Oxford. We are so fortunate to partner with them. So far, about 50 Miami University students have helped, along with 10 University of Cincinnati students. They are strong, smart, and shovel (bridge) ready! Next time you are at Kirby Nature Preserve, be sure to follow the Creekside Trail to check out their handy work on the new footbridge.
