A pioneer in the development of recycled plastic lumber bridges, McLaren has been advancing and testing thermoplastic composite designs for decades. These eco-friendly alternatives offer real solutions for marine and shoreline construction that mitigate the natural deterioration caused by marine microbes.
In 2000, founder Malcolm McLaren, PE Introduced the First Recycled Plastic Bridge To the World. The bowstring truss short span suspension bridge near Albany, NY was designed to withstand a 31,000-pound load capacity.
Innovation progressed and in 2009, the team designed an I-beam bridge for use at Fort Bragg, NC. It surpassed tests by easily supporting a 70-ton fully equipped M-1 Army tank and showed a wheeled vehicle limit of 88 tons. The patented mixture of composite recycled elements reduced the amount of material needed in each beam without compromising its structural integrity.
In addition to stability and sustainability, recycled plastic lumber resists rot from natural conditions, rarely cracks or splinters, makes a good shock-absorbing surface for pedestrian traffic, requires little maintenance, and is aesthetically flexible.
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New Baltimore, NY
