In nature, a good footbridge feels like it’s always been part of the landscape. It spans the gap without blocking the view, and carries you safely over water, rock, or soft ground. A well-designed footbridge lets you move through a site without altering its character, respecting the environment it crosses.
Each site comes with its own conditions – from soil composition and flood levels to the type of traffic it needs to carry. That’s why understanding the main types of footbridges, and when each is best used, is essential for councils, developers, engineers, and land managers.
If you have a project in mind, talk to Struktis. We’ll help you weigh up options for your footbridge.
Here are five common types of footbridge, and how Struktis has implemented them.
Truss footbridges
Truss footbridges use rigid triangular shapes in their framework. The structure of these repeating triangles give the bridge a high strength-to-weight ratio and allow for long spans without mid-river or mid-road supports.
Truss footbridges can be as short as a few metres or stretch more than 50 metres over challenging terrain. Because the truss transfers loads efficiently to the abutments, these footbridges are ideal for sites with limited foundation footprint or where minimal disruption to waterways and terrain is required.
Common applications:
- Long-span pedestrian bridges over rivers or transport corridors
- Sites that need to support heavy pedestrian or light vehicle traffic
- Sites where bridge depth is limited, like flood-prone waterways or above paths where head clearance must be preserved
Struktis project: City of Casey, Victoria
The 42-metre clear-span truss bridge for the City of Casey in Victoria replaced an ageing timber bridge. The project included the destruction and removal of the old bridge, the construction of abutments and approaching paths, and the design, fabrication, installation, and protective coating of the new footbridge. A low-maintenance, safe, and accessible option for both pedestrians and cyclists.
Beam footbridges
Beam footbridges, also known as girder bridges, are among the simplest and most cost-effective designs. They consist of horizontal beams supported by abutments or piers at each end, and sometimes mid-span if longer.
These footbridges are suited to shorter spans (often under 25m) and tend to be higher due to the supports required beneath the bridge. The simple load path often makes them cost-effective and quicker to install than other bridge types.
Typical Applications:
- Short to medium spans over creeks or drainage channels
- Sites where rapid installation and minimal disruption to the community is a priority
- Rural or low-traffic areas with stable ground conditions where standard footings or piles can be installed without complex geotechnical work
Struktis project: Horsham, Victoria
In Horsham, we delivered a pedestrian footbridge spanning the river, improving both safety and accessibility for the community. With a simple beam/girder-style design for durability and minimal maintenance, it gives visitors a safe, scenic route across the river.
Suspension footbridges
Suspension footbridges use cables anchored at each end to support the deck via vertical suspenders. The design allows for long, continuous spans with minimal ground disturbance, making them ideal for environmentally sensitive areas.
Suspension footbridges are relatively lightweight for their span, but require careful engineering to minimise vibration and sway to meet Australian safety standards.
Typical Applications:
- Crossing deep gorges, wide rivers, or valleys
- Sites where ground access for heavy machinery is limited
- Scenic trails where a light visual footprint is preferred
Struktis project: Cabonne Shire, New South Wales
Struktis replaced a flood-damaged timber bridge with a prefabricated suspension-style footbridge. Deep screw piles were used to overcome poor ground conditions, and the bridge was crane-installed with FRP minimesh decking, compliant ramps, and galvanised steel for durability and year-round access.
Boardwalks
Boardwalks are low-level pedestrian structures that follow the terrain, often on screw piles or low piers. They provide safe, dry passage across wetlands, dunes, or uneven ground, and can be curved or elevated to suit the environment.
While boardwalks are typically constructed using wooden planks, Struktis uses sturdier materials, sometimes in conjunction with timber, to ensure the durability and longevity of the footbridge.
Typical Applications:
- Wetlands, mangroves, and dune systems
- Coastal or riverfront paths
- Park trails requiring gentle grades for accessibility
Struktis Example: Albury, Victoria
The Albury boardwalk project created an inviting public space along the riverfront. Its modular sections allowed for minimal site disturbance and easy adaptation to the natural landscape along the shoreline.
Lookouts
While not technically classed as ‘bridges’, elevated lookouts and skywalks use many of the same engineering principles. They’re designed to support concentrated loads in one location and often extend cantilevered over a particularly impressive landscape or feature of the environment.
Typical Applications:
- Scenic viewpoints in parks or reserves
- Urban foreshore promenades
- Tourist spots and nature-based attractions
Struktis Example: Lake Talbot, New South Whales
The Lake Talbot Skywalk combined steel framing and composite decking to deliver an elevated viewing platform with an impressive vantage point over the beautiful lake below. The 50m skywalk uses a tubular steel system with composite plastic decking, and has become a beloved feature of the Lake Talbot area.
So, which footbridge is best?
No single footbridge type is ‘best’ in all cases. The right choice depends on:
- Span length – Longer spans may require truss or suspension designs
- Site conditions – Soft soils, flood risk, or difficult access can rule out certain designs
- Load requirements – Heavy pedestrian or maintenance vehicle loads need stronger structures
- Visual impact – Different footbridge types may blend in or stand out more in certain natural settings
There’s a lot that goes into deciding which type of footbridge works best, but you don’t have to make the decision alone. Struktis brings decades of experience and will help you match the footbridge to the site, so the result is efficient, safe, and durable.
Struktis: tailoring footbridges to fit the job
From truss spans over busy waterways to low-impact boardwalks winding through wetlands, each type of footbridge has its place. The difference lies in understanding the site, the users, and the regulatory framework – then delivering a structure that fits all three.If your project needs a solution tailored to your unique site and requirements, talk to Struktis. The right design at the start saves time, money, and headaches for years to come.