Consol Energy Wingtip Bridge (BoyScouts Bridge)

West Virginia, USA

Photo © sbp

Bridges + Traffic Construction

Engineers: schlaich bergermann partner

Location: West Virginia, USA
Year: 2013
Client: Trinity Works - Bekley

The BoyScouts Bridge is a footbridge on the new site of the Boy Scouts of America Jamboree, a gathering of thousands of Boy Scouts usually held every four years at another location. The Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve will from now on be the permanent home for the Jamboree and as such required a signature structure to act as a symbol for the camp. The design of the bridge was to be adventurous and the crossing of the bridge was to be an experience in itself. To that end, the scouts are able to walk not only on the bridge deck but also along the cables of the bridge on a steel walkway. The cables pass over the tops of the masts and below the main deck of the bridge allowing the scouts to see the bridge from multiple perspectives. The masts are spread to form a V in section which evokes the tips of eagles wings, the symbol of the Boy Scouts.