A fibreglass bridge is a lightweight, corrosion resistant bridge solution for pedestrian, cycle and infrastructure projects where long service life and low maintenance are important. Fiberline supplies fibreglass profiles, planks, handrails and bridge components for both complete FRP bridges and hybrid bridge designs.
Compared with traditional materials such as steel, wood and concrete, fibreglass can reduce weight, simplify installation and limit maintenance in exposed environments. This makes it relevant for municipalities, infrastructure owners, engineering consultants and contractors working with new bridge projects or bridge renovation.
There are several good reasons to choose a fiberglass bridge over a bridge built with traditional materials such as wood, concrete, or steel. Here's what you need to know:
But don't just take our word for it. Listen to what our customers have to say; those who have already made the decision to have a fiberglass bridge built and installed in their local area.
"To handle taxpayers' money in the best possible way and make operational and maintenance activities as cost-effective as possible is our responsibility. We achieve this by choosing products such as a fiberglass bridge," Johnny Andersen - Engineer and Coordinator, Park & Vej, Frederikshavn Municipality. Click here to watch the video with Johnny Andersen.
"In my role, I manage the strategic planning of our ongoing operations and financing, looking far into the future. By assessing the condition of our structures, I expect minimal issues in the coming years with a GRP bridge compared to alternatives such as steel or wood. Unlike steel bridges, which require periodic painting, or wooden bridges, which are prone to rot and subsequent repairs, GRP bridges offer a more durable solution," Anne Gitte Klifforth, Engineer at Horsens Municipality. Click here to watch the video with Anne Gitte Klifforth.
"We got a bridge with a total weight of just over 2 tons, which is better than if the same construction were made of wood, and it could be done approximately 30% cheaper – we are very satisfied with the solution". Ellert Thorarinsson, Manager of the oldest golf course in Iceland. Click here to read the full case with Ellert.
"What appealed to me about the fiberglass bridge is that it is completely maintenance-free. And when it is also in that price range, it was appealing". Kim Bredgaard Grarup, Professional Coordinator and Project Manager, Road, Traffic and Site Preparation, Herning Municipality. Click here to read the full case with Kim.
Curious about the cost of a fiberglass bridge? Click here. Our skilled employees are ready to assist you.
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Our fibreglass profiles and planks combine a number of different advantages not found in traditional materials, which makes them suitable for bridge designs. The strength as steel and low weight make assembly and installation easy saving costs for heavy-load cranes as well as time-consuming ad expensive closure of busy roads.
Furthermore, the fibreglass bridges have a long life expectancy with only little maintenance needed. this makes it possible to save costs for operation and maintenance. Learn more in our many case stories
Finally, our fibreglass products are produced using an energy-efficient production process called pultrusion. In addition, the material's excellent durability means that very few maintenance resources are required. The materials can be re-used when they are no longer needed, for instance in cement production.
Other advantages includes:
Learn more about the advantages of our composite material here
At the start of the project, a strong and light material like fibreglass allows you to design a lighter construction and reduce material use and associated costs. The construction cost of a fibreglass bridge will also often be lower since our customers avoid having to use expensive special machines and cranes. Additionally, the installation time can be reduced since the fibreglass bridges can be assembled at the workshop and transported in an assembled state, thanks to their low weight.
In the long term, there are also savings to be made with a fibreglass bridge. This is because our fibreglass planks are corrosion-free and do not rust, rot or corrode. This results in minimal maintenance requirements, making fibreglass a cost-effective solution when looking at the entire life of the bridge. We stand by the high quality of our planks and therefore offer an extended warranty.
Fibreglass is the perfect choice for your next bridge project. Our planks have a unique durability, making them well-suited for use in the demanding environments that bridges are often built in. These include proximity to seawater, fresh water, in natural settings with shifting weather conditions as well as on footbridges, where salting is necessary. You can also customise your next bridge, e.g. add extra width for cycle bridges, higher load-bearing capacity to support tractors or painting to fit the surroundings.
Do you need a footbridge or cycle bridge, or should the bridge be able to handle periodic traffic from heavier machines? And how high should your railings be? Here at Fiberline Building Profiles, we can help you answer all these questions. We have many years of experience with bridges. In fact, we even took part in the first fibreglass bridge installation in Scandinavia, which took place in Kolding, Denmark. See how others have done it
See also which industries our fibreglass bridges are usually used in
As well as choosing a complete fibreglass bridge, you can also opt for fibreglass planks in a hybrid solution with steel or wood. Fibreglass has almost the same coefficient of expansion as steel and wood, so they work well together in bridges. Often, our customers use fibreglass planks as a bridge deck in a hybrid solution, with steel beams or a wooden construction as frame. We also recommend railings and handrails in fibreglass, as this is a great area to take advantage of the low maintenance requirements. Check out our numerous solutions here
You get high quality every time you buy our products. We have a number of recognised standards and certifications, including the German construction certification Allgemeine Bauartgenehmigung, CE marking and EBA Zulassung. This is your assurance that our products adhere to the high quality we promise. Read more about our quality here.
We have the world’s largest online shop for CE-marked fibreglass profiles and thus a large range of fibreglass planks for bridge-building, including:
Visit our online shop here, add the products to your basket and order today. It doesn’t get any easier than that!
We have made it easy for you! Based on our know-how within fibreglass and close cooperation with customers, we have also developed a standard solution within bridge-building. This has been developed specifically to meet the requirements within bridge-building and the standards within fibreglass construction, while keeping costs and material use low. See the bridge in our online shop here
A fibreglass bridge combines several material advantages that steel, wood and concrete typically offer separately. For bridge owners, municipalities, contractors and specifying engineers, the main difference is not only the material itself, but how it performs during installation, operation and maintenance.
Compared with steel, fibreglass has a significantly lower weight and does not rust. This can make handling, transport and installation easier, especially in locations where access is limited or where heavy lifting equipment increases project complexity. Steel may still be relevant for long spans or specific structural requirements, which is why fibreglass is also often used in hybrid bridge designs.
Compared with wood, fibreglass does not rot and is less affected by moisture, salt air and changing weather conditions. This makes it relevant for pedestrian bridges, cycle bridges and bridge decks in wet, coastal or exposed environments where long service life and low maintenance are important.
Compared with concrete, fibreglass offers a lighter alternative that can reduce the load on the supporting structure. This can be valuable in bridge renovation projects or in areas where foundations, access conditions or installation time are key design considerations.
| Decision factor | Fibreglass bridge | Steel bridge | Wood bridge | Concrete bridge |
| Weight and handling | Low weight, making transport, handling and installation easier | High weight, often requiring more lifting equipment | Often easy to process, but performance depends on exposure and treatment | Very high weight, requiring more extensive lifting and foundation planning |
| Corrosion and rot | Does not rust or rot, making it suitable for wet, coastal and exposed environments | Can corrode if not protected and maintained | Can rot or degrade in wet environments | Durable, but can be affected by reinforcement corrosion and surface degradation over time |
| Maintenance | Typically low maintenance due to corrosion resistance and long material life | Requires inspection and surface treatment in exposed environments | Requires inspection and maintenance, especially in wet or changing climates | Requires inspection and repair planning, especially in ageing structures |
| Installation | Can often be preassembled and adjusted on site with ordinary tools | Often requires heavier equipment and more complex installation planning | Easy to work with, but protection and detailing are important | Installation can be time consuming due to weight and curing or fixing requirements |
| Bridge renovation | Well suited for replacing bridge decks where low weight is an advantage | Strong option for structural reinforcement or long spans | Relevant in some settings, but exposure must be carefully considered | Relevant for robust structures, but may add significant weight |
| Hybrid bridge design | Works well as bridge decks, railings, handrails and exposed components | Often used as the main load bearing substructure | Can be combined with fibreglass components in selected designs | Can be combined with fibreglass decks or components where weight reduction is useful |
| Typical project fit | Pedestrian bridges, cycle bridges, bridge decks, coastal areas and low maintenance infrastructure | Long spans, heavy loads and projects requiring high stiffness | Natural settings, light structures and projects with controlled exposure | Heavy duty infrastructure and projects where mass and compressive strength are central |
| Main consideration | Structural design must account for the stiffness and load requirements of the specific project | Corrosion protection and maintenance strategy are important | Moisture exposure and long term durability must be assessed | Weight, installation complexity and future repair access must be considered |
The right material depends on span, load, environment, installation conditions and maintenance strategy. Fiberline can help assess whether a full fibreglass bridge or a hybrid bridge solution is the right fit for your project. Fiberline documentation highlights fibreglass advantages such as low weight, corrosion resistance, electrical insulation, thermal insulation and minimal maintenance.
Fibreglass can be used in several bridge types, either as the main construction material or as selected components in a hybrid bridge design. This makes it relevant for both new bridge projects and renovation of existing structures.
For pedestrian bridges and cycle bridges, fibreglass is often chosen because the material is lightweight, corrosion resistant and suitable for installation in areas where access is limited. The low weight can simplify handling on site and help reduce the need for heavy lifting equipment.
For bridge deck renovation, fibreglass planks can be used to replace worn or corrosion exposed deck materials. This is especially relevant where the existing substructure can be retained, but the deck needs a durable, low maintenance surface.
For hybrid bridges, fibreglass is often combined with steel, wood or concrete. In this type of bridge, the substructure can provide the required stiffness, while fibreglass bridge decks, handrails or railings add corrosion resistance and reduce maintenance in exposed areas.
Fibreglass can also be used for bridge cladding, stairs, access solutions, handrails and railings. These components are particularly relevant in wet, coastal or exposed environments, where corrosion, rot and recurring maintenance can affect long term project costs.
Common bridge applications include:
Fiberline supplies fibreglass profiles, planks and components for different bridge applications and can support professional project teams with documentation, specifications and guidance. Fiberline’s bridge material describes full FRP bridges, hybrid bridges, renovation with fibreglass and bridge cladding as relevant application areas.
With more than 40 years of experience with fibreglass constructions, we have the necessary know-how to help you carry out your next bridge project, whether this involves a new construction or the renovation of an existing construction, planning, design and drawing or execution. Check out our numerous case studies here.
Do you have questions about our fibreglass bridges, planning, execution or prices? Or would you like to talk about your next project? Contact our bridge experts here and let’s take a look at the optimisation options together. See our opening hours here
What is a fibreglass bridge?
A fibreglass bridge is a bridge structure or bridge component system made with FRP or GRP profiles and planks. It is used where low weight, corrosion resistance and low maintenance are important decision criteria.
Is a fibreglass bridge suitable for coastal areas?
Yes, fibreglass is often relevant in coastal and wet environments because it does not rust like steel or rot like wood. Project conditions should always be assessed against the required specifications and documentation.
Can fibreglass be used for bridge renovation?
Yes, fibreglass planks can be used for bridge deck renovation, including hybrid solutions with steel, wood or concrete substructures. This can reduce weight and maintenance needs compared with traditional deck materials.
What is the difference between a full FRP bridge and a hybrid bridge?
A full FRP bridge uses fibreglass for the main bridge structure, while a hybrid bridge combines fibreglass components with materials such as steel, wood or concrete. Hybrid designs are often used when the project needs the stiffness of another substructure and the durability of a fibreglass deck.
Does Fiberline provide documentation for fibreglass bridge projects?
Yes, Fiberline can provide relevant documentation for professional projects. Contact Fiberline for specifications, certifications and project specific guidance.
