Roosevelt National Forest

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) needed a bridge for an environmentally sensitive area in the Roosevelt National Forest. The structure would be used to separate stream headwaters from off-roading vehicles, including motorcycles, ATVs and SUVs, a popular activity in the area.

USFS wanted a bottomless culvert to allow for natural stream flow. Because the creek was deep into the forest, the site was extremely difficult to access making other conventional bridge options difficult. After considering their options, the USFS selected a bottomless Aluminum Box Culvert (ALBC) for installation efficiency.

The light weight of the ALBC allowed the structure to be installed with smaller equipment as well as hand labor during construction. It was erected on site and installed in one day. The aesthetic stone veneer was selected to enhance the aluminum structure and to allow it to blend in with the natural surroundings.

The Roosevelt National Forest began in 1897 as a part of the Medicine Bow Forest Reserve. In 1932, it was renamed in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, after he urged Congress to establish the United States Forest Service, and it commemorates his conservationist philosophy.