Timber for Transit

This group will guide the proposed activities, facilitate cross-sector coordination with both transportation infrastructure and timber product stakeholders, incorporate expertise in innovative technologies, and promote project findings with target audiences, e.g., rural selectboards, municipal road agents, bridge design and construction firms. SWRPC staff will collaborate closely with forest industry specialists at UNH Extension – a key project partner and subgrantee – to identify which stakeholders to engage. Work group members are also expected to include state agency staff, forest product professionals, builders, engineering professionals, timber framing educators, and others.

The goal of this inventory is to identify potential transportation infrastructure projects that are suitable for repair, improvement, or replacement with timber-based products. In assessing suitability, the inventory will consider criteria such as: bridge span, deck width, presence/type of crash rails, and regional capabilities to manufacture particular timber products. Such an inventory would include facilities for motorized transportation as well as those that support alternative modes like walking and bicycling. To the extent possible, the inventory would leverage existing data sources, such as the State of New Hampshire’s Municipal Red List, which identifies town-owned bridges requiring annual inspections due to poor condition. The inventory will help demonstrate market demand for timber products in the transportation sector and guide future outreach to municipalities with bridge-related needs well-suited to timber-based designs. It will also include a prioritization process that will guide the selection of specific projects for more in-depth feasibility analysis. 

Inspection, engineering, cost estimation, life-cycle analysis, and other predevelopment work necessary to assess the feasibility of incorporating innovative timber products into several high-priority transportation infrastructure projects, as identified through the inventory and prioritization process. Permitting requirements may also be evaluated and considered. If ultimately implemented, these projects could serve as highly visible examples showcasing the value of timber-based transportation infrastructure. Projects selected for feasibility analysis are to be confirmed through the inventory and prioritization process.

Engineering and other pre-development services would be procured through a competitive process compliant with NBRC requirements. Where applicable, predevelopment activities would conform with both federal and state-level policies and procedures.

The U.S. Forest Service has published various “standard bridge plans” for timber-based designs, including plans for glued-laminated structures. These designs, however, were not developed to include species native to northern New England. Developing standard plans that both comply with the most up-to-date building requirements and incorporate specifications for native species would fill a key gap currently preventing the construction of timber bridges with local species—in Cheshire County and across the NBRC service area. The adaptation of these existing bridge plans represents a prime opportunity to leverage previous engineering work, expanding the impact of past investment in the topic. Template plans will help municipalities and other prospective clients save on engineering costs and time when considering designs that rely on timber-based products sourced from local species. These saved costs will help build the market for local, innovative wood products in the transportation sector. 

Incorporation of innovative wood products into transportation infrastructure is currently limited by the lack of manufacturing capabilities in the NBRC service area and surrounding region. There are no known mass timber manufacturers of local timber species (eastern hemlock or domestic spruce-pine-fir) in the northeast, but there is interest in developing the industry should the market support it. UNH Extension’s forest industry specialist will serve as lead on this component of the work scope and will coordinate with the project work group. 

A guide written for a non-technical audience will be essential for municipalities interested in assessing the feasibility of timber bridge construction and other transportation infrastructure applications. Improved understanding among municipalities regarding the relative benefits of timber construction, top use cases, and steps in the feasibility assessment process will be instrumental in building the market for timber-based transportation infrastructure.