TOPSHAM — Three years in the making, a new 60-foot pedestrian bridge has been added to the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust’s Cathance River trail system.

Known as Clay Brook bridge, the structure connects two trail networks, creating seven miles of linked trails in town, according to a land trust press release.

The Cathance River Nature Preserve trail network will connect to new trails that extend on privately owned lands protected by easement, ultimately reaching Head of Tide Park.

Hikers can experience fast-moving rapids along the preserve, slower-moving sections above Head of Tide, and end up at the park’s 15-foot waterfall, according to the land trust, which has worked for more than 10 years to protect lands along the river.

The Stantec firm and engineer Rick Schultz designed the bridge for free, and metal worker Dennis Weeks of Bowdoinham fabricated the aluminum structure. Linkel Construction of Topsham handled site work and bridge abutments and installation.

Led by Gary Fogg of Topsham, the land trust’s volunteer trail supervisor, the group’s stewardship committee researched the bridge’s location and material. They chose an aluminium bridge to maximize its life and minimize its maintenance.

Jim Howard, owner of Priority Group of Topsham, and Seacoast Management, which owns Highland Green, donated conservation easements to help facilitate the preserve and trail.

Alex Lear can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 113 or alear@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @learics.

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This 60-foot pedestrian bridge has been added to the Brunswick-Topsham Land Trust’s Cathance River trail system.