Plastic Bridge Faring Well

One-year-old plastic bridge exceeds expectations, Structural Engineer, January 2004, reports on the current health of the nation's first all plastic bridge, the New Jersey Pine Barrens Mullica River Bridge, first covered on this site last November.

According to the article:

• After more than one year in service, the one-lane, 56-foot long bridge is so far exceeding expecations.
• The structural plastic material is a combination of polystyrene and polyethylene, recycled from items such as milk cartons, soda bottles, and foam cups.
• The bridge is rated to carry a 36-ton load and cost $75,000 to build. Costs to replace the original wood structure were estimated at $350,000.

Also according to the article, the Federal Highway Administration currently has sponsored more than 40 projects involving experimental plastic materials and sees an "incredible" market potential for these materials.