Can wood be recycled or reused at the end of its life?

Absolutely. Wood is highly recyclable, and timber from decommissioned bridges can be repurposed for new projects. If not repurposed, wood can biodegrade naturally, unlike steel or concrete, which require energy-intensive processes for disposal.

Esplanade Siesta Key Legacy Timber Vehicular Bridge

Esplanade Siesta Key: A Legacy Series Bridge that Sets the Standard

Nestled just north of world-famous Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota, Florida, Taylor Morrison's Esplanade by Siesta Key community delivers resort-style living wrapped in coastal charm. But before residents could enjoy its lush streetscapes, amenities, and quick access to downtown Sarasota, one major obstacle had to be overcome: a narrow, environmentally sensitive creek bisecting the development. Concrete or steel box culverts risked choking water flow and disrupting delicate riparian habitat. Traditional drop-in girder bridges required heavy equipment working from below--an approach that would scar the creek banks and delay permitting.

York Bridge Concepts (YBC) solved the challenge with a Legacy Series timber vehicular bridge designed in our Decero™ Design Studio. The structure's repetitive-span geometry, full-timber abutments, and Deck-Level (top-down) construction preserved the creek's fragile ecosystem while giving the community a timeless architectural icon. The result is a 270-foot landmark crossing that welcomes residents home, elevates property values, and stands as a regional model for sustainable infrastructure.

Specifications

Vehicular Width:
22' (20' 5" clear)
Pedestrian Width:
5'10" (5' clear)
Length:
270'
Height:
17' above grade
Capacity:
HS-20/44 & 85 PSF
Construction:
Deck Level
Span Type:
Repetitive Span
Span Lengths:
(5) 16'
Material:
CCA/CA-C Treated Southern Yellow Pine
Foundation:
SYP Timber Piles & Abutments (Acrylic/Polymer Coated where exposed)
Stringers:
SYP Rough Sawn Timber (Acrylic/Polymer Coated where exposed)
Vehicular Deck System:
5 ½” Double Timber Deck
Pedestrian Deck System:
1-½” Timber Deck
Guard Rail:
Decero™ Classic Design Series
Handrail:
Decero™ Picket Design Series
Crossing:
Flood Plain

"In addition to increasing the value of our Esplanade by Siesta Key Phase 3 lots and entry aesthetics, our custom York Wood Bridge also helped expedite our permitting and construction process greatly. Our residents and Taylor Morrison really appreciate the design integration into the natural and historic surroundings at the bridge site."
– Ken Stokes, Taylor Morrison

Vision: Turning A Barrier Into A Signature Arrival

When Taylor Morrison's land planners first walked the site, the creek looked like a costly hurdle. Steep banks, soft soils, and protective environmental regulations all pointed toward expensive foundations and painstaking mitigation. YBC's early-phase consultation shifted that viewpoint:

Embrace the waterway as a design feature. Instead of hiding the crossing, make it the gateway moment for homeowners and visitors.
Select materials that harmonize with Florida's coastal palette. Warm Southern Yellow Pine and acrylic coatings resonate with native sabal palms and landscaping, while subtle copper accents nod to the coastal design.
Prioritize constructability that respects nature. YBC's top-down methodology meant crews could build the entire bridge from the superstructure, eliminating the need for temporary access roads or in-stream work.

The bridge quickly shifted from cost center to aesthetic focal point--an investment as much in placemaking as in transportation capacity.

Esplanade Siesta Key Legacy Designed HS20-44 vehicular bridge with attached pedestrian section built by York Bridge Concepts in Sarasota, FL

Design Excellence in the Legacy Series

The Legacy Series is YBC's highest trim level, combining structural substance with refined architectural detailing. For Esplanade Siesta Key we incorporated:

Repetitive Span Layout

Five uniform 16-foot spans distribute loads efficiently and minimize pile group size, reducing environmental footprint.

Full-Timber Abutments

Pressure-treated Southern Yellow Pine pile bents eliminate concrete abutments, maintaining a natural creek edge and allowing floodwaters to pass freely.

Double-Lane Geometry

A 22-foot roadway (20' 5" clear) carries two standard travel lanes plus flush timber curbs for safety.

Pedestrian Integration

A parallel 5'-10"-wide walkway lets joggers, dog-walkers, and golf-cart users experience the waterway at a slower pace without mixing with vehicular traffic.

Guard & Handrail Package

Custom Decero™ picket railings with composite post caps mirror the architecture of Esplanade's clubhouse while meeting AASHTO crash and ADA hand-grip requirements.

Acrylic-Polymer Coatings

Exposed piles, stringers, and caps receive factory-applied coatings that guard against UV, salt spray, and marine borers.

Every element--down to concealed stainless-steel fasteners--is selected to perform in Sarasota's humid subtropical climate for 75+ years with routine maintenance.

Esplanade Siesta Key vehicular bridge with loaded dump truck crossing over

Engineering the Structure: Strength Meets Sustainability

Southern Yellow Pine (SYP) sequesters roughly 1.2 tons of CO2 per cubic meter, yielding a negative greenhouse-gas footprint even after accounting for treatment and transport. When combined with field-verified durability (lab test show 50-year-plus service life under HS20), timber becomes a structural and environmental win-win.

Esplanade Siesta Key picture of the repetitive span vehicular bridge crossing over creek built by York Bridge Concepts.

Deck-Level Construction: Building from the Top Down

Conventional bridge methods lower girders from cranes staged in the channel or erect falsework towers. YBC's patented Deck-Level Construction flips that script:

Stage 1

Pile Installation:
Low-ground-pressure rigs work from one bank, driving the first bent. A temporary mat of timber joists is attached.

Stage 2

Leapfrogging Platform:
Crews advance across the waterway by installing the next bent from the newly completed platform--never touching the creek bed beyond the permanent piles.

Stage 3

Superstructure Assembly:
Stringers, deck planks, and railing systems are added as the working surface grows.

Stage 4

Final Surfacing & Finishes:
Acrylic sealants, copper caps, lighting conduits, and drainage scuppers finalize the structure.

This top-down approach eliminated wetland fill, preserved bank vegetation, and kept turbidity well below Florida DEP thresholds. Permitting that might have taken 18 months for other traditional construction practices & materials.

Picture of Esplanade Siesta Key vehicular bridge built by YBC from the wetlands area in Sarasota, FL.

Environmental Stewardship In Action

Crossing a habitat is one thing; enhancing it is another. Key sustainability moves on Esplanade Siesta Key include:

No In-Stream Cofferdams

The repetitive-span system shortened pile groups and avoided cofferdams or slurry walls that disturb aquatic life.

Reduced Shadow Footprint

Narrow timber members allow dappled sunlight to reach the creek, maintaining algae and seagrass photosynthesis.

Carbon Sequestration

Life-cycle modeling shows the bridge will store approximately 290 metric tons of CO2e--far outperforming comparable materials.

A Seamless Journey: Form Concept to Ribbon Cutting

Early Design & Permitting

Working side-by-side with Taylor Morrison's team, YBC developed drawings for their submittal package. Local officials praised the clarity of the package, accelerating approvals by several months.

Fabrication & Assembly

Timber components were precision-cut by master craftsmen shavings and waste are quickly vacuumed up to eliminate site contamination.

Construction

In a matter of months, the YBC field crew installed over 100 piles, assembled superstructure elements, and finished railing, lighting, and striping--without a single Lost Time Incident.

Esplanade Siesta Key vehicular bridge built by YBC, community engagement

Enhancing Community & Lifestyle

Bridges are more than transportation assets; they are experiences:

Sense of Arrival

Acrylic-coated timber with a beautiful modern color palette, subtle lighting, and timber curbing create a memorable entry that resonates with Esplanade's coastal-inspired architecture.

Health & Wellness

The pedestrian walkway connects internal trail loops, encouraging residents to bike or walk to the amenity center and reducing vehicle trips.

Property Value Lift

Realtors report waterfront-view lots facing the bridge sold faster than comparable inland lots, citing the bridge as an "instagrammable" feature.

Event Space

Wide shoulders and pedestrian balconies double as parade routes during community festivals and charity runs.

Long-Term Performance & Maintenance

YBC stands behind every Legacy Series structure with a comprehensive service plan:

Annual Visual Inspections: Checking rail hardware, deck plank tightness, and coating integrity.
Every 5-years: Resistance micro-drilling to track timber density and moisture content.
Every 10-years: Re-sealing exposed members and refreshing roadway line stripping.

Predictive analytics show planned maintenance costs at 30 percent less than for a comparable concrete slab because timber components can be replaced individually without heavy cranes.

Why Choose York Bridge Concepts?

Decero™ Design Studio: We start with a blank slate-no catalog templates--ensuring each bridge complements its environment and aligns with brand identity.
Legacy Craftsmanship: Hand-finished details, premium coatings, and a warranty backed by four decades of field data.
Environmental Leadership: From wetland boardwalks to coastal vehicular crossings, YBC bridges meet the most stringent ecological regulations while achieving award-winning beauty.
Turn-Key Delivery: One contract, one schedule, one accountable partner--from concept sketches to final striping.

Ready to Transform Your Crossing Into A Landmark?

Whether you're a master-planned community, resort developer, or municipal engineer, YBC can turn your crossing challenge into an unforgettable gateway. Contact our design team today to schedule a complimentary concept review and discover how a Legacy Series timber bridge can elevate both experience and value.

Key takeaways

The Esplanade Siesta Key bridge showcases the synergy of warm timber aesthetics, robust HS-20 capacity, and eco-sensitive construction.
Repetitive spans on timber piles minimize disturbance and simplify permitting.
Deck-Level construction builds form the top down-no creek-bed equipment, no cofferdams.
Legacy Series detailing delivers curb appeal, longevity, and low maintenance.
The bridge is a living example of how sustainable infrastructure can enhance lifestyle and marketability without compromising the environment.