Project Overview
Set in the Santa Monica Mountains, this Fire Retardant FRP Bridge crosses a creek near the Cheeseboro Canyon trailhead in Old Agoura, California. The 65-foot-long, 6-foot-wide pedestrian bridge completes a 1.1-mile universal-access loop between two trailheads and provides a continuous route through the canyon.
Strongwell EXTREN® Series 525 FRP
The bridge’s structural members use slate-gray Strongwell EXTREN® Series 525 fiberglass-reinforced polymer (FRP), paired with pressure-treated southern pine decking. Additionally, Series 525 is made with premium polyester resin, flame-retardant additives, and a UV inhibitor. The fire-retardant formulation provides improved fire performance, a considered feature for a bridge in the wildfire-prone Santa Monica Mountains.
Trail Profile and Wildlife
The surrounding Cheeseboro and Palo Comado canyons offer a landscape of rolling hills and oak trees. The National Park Service notes that visitors may spot deer, bobcats, coyotes, and rabbits, while the area’s oaks and rocky terrain provide habitat for owls and hawks. Sightings vary, but the mix of open grassland, woodland, and canyon habitat makes the area rewarding for birding and wildlife viewing.
As a result, the Fire Retardant FRP Bridge links the trailheads, helping visitors safely explore all of Cheeseboro Canyon.
