Navigating Complex Terrain: A S-Curve Pedestrian Bridge in Fort Collins

To provide a safe crossing over active railroad lines and existing bike trails, the City of Fort Collins required a complex “serpentine” wall design. Dr. Sean Chiang and the team utilized a tapered gravity system to create seamless S-curves without the need for site modifications. The Ledgestone-textured walls now serve as high-mass bridge abutments, combining structural engineering with an aesthetic that enhances the local recreation area.

One of North America’s most famous ski resorts required a straightforward and durable retaining wall solution to support a vital infrastructure expansion. The project involved the development of a new mountainside workforce housing project and a 400-space expanded overflow parking lot. The solution needed to be structurally resilient enough for high-altitude conditions while maintaining an aesthetic that complemented the high-visibility resort corridor.

When CDOT needed to widen Highway 119 through a narrow mountain canyon, they faced a critical lack of space for traditional reinforcement. Dr. Sean Chiang and the team designed a massive gravity wall system reaching heights of 18.5 feet. By utilizing block mass instead of geogrid, the project stabilized 11,500 square feet of wall face while minimizing excavation in the sensitive environment.