Among other initiatives, near-exact replicas of the massive concrete beams that support the Horsetail Creek Bridge have been built and are being studied in OSU laboratories. OSU scientists are not only studying existing FRP systems in Europe, Japan and the U.S., but are developing their own. And more good news - FRP materials are comparatively cheap. It looks almost identical to the original and the bridge didn't even need to be closed while the work was going on. If interested, this would provide an excellent opportunity for print or broadcast news media representatives to obtain photos or video of the scenic structure, the research being done, and conduct interviews with OSU and ODOT engineers about the potential significance of this new technology to address many problems in Oregon's bridge and building infrastructure.
Color photos are also available of the bridge and some of the recent construction process.