August 12, 2026
Independent NC State University Load Test Confirms Performance of IBC Railcar Bridge Installed
Independent NC State University Load Test Confirms Performance of Innovative Bridge Company Railcar Bridge Installed After Hurricane Helene
NCDOT-funded research team tested the IBC-installed temporary bridge in Swannanoa, NC at 133% of its posted load limit — the structure remained fully elastic with roughly 90% reserve capacity to yield.
PETAL, MS — August 12, 2026 — Innovative Bridge Company, LLC (IBC) today announced that a temporary railcar bridge it installed in Swannanoa, North Carolina following Hurricane Helene has been independently load-tested by North Carolina State University’s Constructed Facilities Laboratory under a research project funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT Project TA2025-13).
On December 16, 2025, the NC State research team conducted six static load tests and multiple dynamic tests on the single-lane bridge carrying Warren Wilson Road over Bee Tree Creek (NCDOT Buncombe County Structure 203). The 82-foot-span structure, built from two adjacent flatbed railcars joined with a welded steel connector plate, was tested using a Swannanoa Fire Department engine weighing 40,040 pounds — approximately 133% of the bridge’s posted 15-ton limit.
Key findings from the final report, published May 12, 2026:
• The structure remained fully elastic under all test loads. Maximum measured steel strain was approximately 200 microstrain — about 10% of the estimated yield strain — leaving roughly 90% reserve margin under a load one-third above the posting.
• The two railcars acted compositely. The welded connector plate effectively shared load between the adjacent cars, validating the connection detail used in this bridge configuration.
• The bridge responded linearly and predictably under both static and moving traffic loads, with a maximum dynamic deflection of 1.37 inches over the 82-foot span.
• The researchers recommended maintaining the existing load posting, confirming the validity of the bridge’s current rating for continued public service.
The Swannanoa bridge is one of the temporary railcar structures deployed across western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene destroyed portions of the regional road network in September 2024. IBC partnered with NCDOT to supply and install railcar bridge systems that restored access for residents, emergency vehicles, school buses, and supply routes — often within 24 to 48 hours of mobilization — at roughly one-third the cost of traditional temporary bridges.
“Anybody can tell you their bridge works. It means a lot more when a state DOT hires a university to put strain gages on one of our installed bridges, drive a loaded fire truck across it, and publish the data. The results speak for themselves — the bridge performed with enormous margin, exactly as intended. That’s the standard we hold every bridge we deliver to,” said Lee Roberts, Owner, Innovative Bridge Company, LLC.
The test data are now being used to validate finite element models and will inform an upcoming NCDOT-funded research project developing design guidance for temporary railcar bridge structures — a step toward broader adoption of railcar bridges as a recognized tool for emergency response and rural infrastructure nationwide.
The full report is publicly available from NCDOT at:
https://connect.ncdot.gov/projects/research/RNAProjDocs/Final%20Report_TA2025-13.pdf
About Innovative Bridge Company, LLC
Innovative Bridge Company supplies, sells, rents, transports, installs, and removes temporary and permanent bridge systems nationwide, including engineered modular bridges and railcar bridge systems. With a rental fleet of more than 350 bridge units and staging locations across multiple states, IBC serves DOTs, utilities, heavy civil contractors, energy developers, and emergency-response agencies.
We Deliver Access.
Innovative Bridge Company, LLC
615-249-4023
April 14, 2026
IBC Marks Landmark South Carolina DOT Contract Award for Railcar-Based Temporary Bridge Solutions
Innovative Bridge Company Marks Landmark South Carolina DOT Contract Award for Railcar-Based Temporary Bridge Solutions
Innovative Bridge Company, LLC is proud to announce another major step forward in the growing recognition of railcar-based bridge solutions by state transportation agencies.
The South Carolina Department of Transportation has issued a Statement of Award for solicitation 5400029512, described as Rail Cars D3 Bridge Maintenance, with a total contract value of $342,600. The award, posted April 14, 2026, names Landworx Construction Contractors, an affiliated company of Innovative Bridge Company, as the awarded contractor.
The contract represents another important milestone for IBC and its related companies as state DOTs continue to recognize the efficiency, strength, and practical capability of using railcars as temporary bridge structures.
“This award is another landmark for IBC and for the broader acceptance of railcar bridge systems,” said Lee Roberts, owner of Innovative Bridge Company. “State DOTs are seeing what we have been working towards for years: railcars can provide a fast, durable, and cost-effective solution for temporary bridge needs. South Carolina’s award is another sign that this method is gaining real traction across the transportation industry.”
Railcar-based temporary bridges can offer transportation agencies a practical alternative when speed, durability, and cost control are critical. These structures may be used to help maintain access, support bridge maintenance operations, and reduce disruption during infrastructure work.
For IBC, the South Carolina award follows a growing pattern of interest from public agencies looking for dependable temporary bridge solutions. Each new state adopting or evaluating this approach reinforces the value of the system and the role IBC is playing in bringing it to market.
“This is not just another contract,” Roberts added. “It is another state recognizing the capability of this solution. That matters. It validates the work we have done and shows that railcar bridges are becoming a serious option for DOTs looking to solve real infrastructure challenges.”
About Innovative Bridge Company
Innovative Bridge Company, LLC specializes in practical, efficient bridge solutions using railcars and related systems for temporary and specialty bridge applications. Based in Mississippi, IBC works to provide durable and cost-effective options for public agencies, contractors, and infrastructure owners facing access and bridge maintenance challenges.
We Deliver Access!
629-333-8211
January 16, 2026
IBC Selected by Kiewit Construction for Critical Access on $240 Million Virginia Creeper Project
Innovative Bridge Company Selected by Kiewit Construction for Critical Access on $240 Million Virginia Creeper Project
Petal, Mississippi — Innovative Bridge Company (IBC) Kiewit has selected IBC to provide critical access solutions for the $240 million Virginia Creeper Project, a major infrastructure and restoration effort in southwest Virginia.
The Virginia Creeper Project is a large-scale transportation and environmental initiative designed to restore, protect, and improve access along a historically significant corridor while meeting modern engineering, safety, and environmental standards. The project involves complex terrain, environmentally sensitive areas, and strict construction sequencing—requiring reliable, rapid-deployment access infrastructure to keep work moving safely and on schedule.
IBC was engaged to design and deliver modular bridge solutions that provide construction access across waterways and restricted areas while minimizing environmental disturbance. These bridges enable heavy equipment, crews, and materials to safely reach critical work zones without permanent impact to the surrounding landscape.
“Kiewit’s decision to partner with Innovative Bridge Company speaks volumes,” said Lee Roberts, Owner of Innovative Bridge Company. “This project demands precision, speed, and proven access solutions. We are proud that Kiewit trusted IBC to deliver dependable infrastructure on a project of this scale and visibility.”
Innovative Bridge Company specializes in converting railcar decks and steel superstructures into modular, vehicular-rated bridge systems used nationwide by state DOTs, counties, contractors, and private owners. IBC bridges are engineered for rapid installation, heavy loads, and reuse—making them ideal for large infrastructure projects where access is mission-critical.
The Virginia Creeper Project represents another milestone for IBC as it continues to support some of the most complex infrastructure projects in the country. Working alongside Kiewit, IBC remains focused on delivering safe, durable, and efficient access solutions that help keep major projects on track.
March 3, 2025
Innovative Bridge Company Awarded Bridge Contract for The Bounty Club Golf Course in Nashville, TN
Innovative Bridge Company (IBC) has been selected to provide all bridge infrastructure for The Bounty Club, a prestigious, one-of-a-kind private golf course currently under development in Nashville, Tennessee.
The project team, led by Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC and world-renowned golf architects King-Collins Golf Course Design, chose Innovative Bridge Company to deliver critical site access solutions supporting the construction and long-term operation of the course.
Innovative Bridge Company will furnish a total of 15 bridges, including:
• 4 engineered vehicular road bridges supporting construction operations and serving as permanent access infrastructure once the course is complete
• 11 golf cart bridges thoughtfully designed to complement the course layout, preserve natural features, and enhance the overall player experience
Construction coordination begins with 8 a.m. golf operations planning, ensuring uninterrupted progress while maintaining the highest standards expected for a premier private golf destination.
The Bounty Club is designed to be an exclusive, top-tier golf experience, blending natural terrain with innovative course architecture. IBC’s modular bridge systems were selected for their speed of deployment, structural reliability, and ability to minimize environmental impact—key requirements for a project of this caliber.
“Being chosen for The Bounty Club is an honor,” said Lee Roberts, Owner of Innovative Bridge Company. “This project represents the highest level of design, construction, and execution in modern golf development. We’re proud to support Brasfield & Gorrie and King-Collins with bridge solutions that match the ambition and quality of this course.”
Innovative Bridge Company specializes in rapid-deployment vehicular and specialty bridges used across transportation, infrastructure, and private development projects nationwide. The Bounty Club project further solidifies IBC’s role as a trusted partner for complex, high-profile access challenges.
January 12, 2025
Innovative Bridge Company Partners with NCDOT to Restore Connectivity After Hurricane Helene
IBC + North Carolina Emergency Response
Following widespread flooding and bridge failures caused by Hurricane Helene, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) partnered with Innovative Bridge Company to rapidly reconnect isolated communities across western North Carolina.
IBC supplied and installed railcar-based temporary bridges, allowing residents, emergency vehicles, school buses, and supply routes to resume normal operations—often within 24–48 hours of mobilization.
These bridges serve as safe, load-rated transportation links while permanent replacements are engineered and constructed.
Why Railcar Bridges
IBC’s railcar bridge systems offer decisive advantages in disaster recovery and rural infrastructure:
- Speed: Bridges can be installed in days, not months
- Cost Efficiency: Typically ~⅓ the cost of traditional temporary bridges
- Strength: Designed for daily vehicular traffic, including emergency and service vehicles
- Sustainability: Repurposes existing steel assets instead of scrapping them
- Flexibility: Suitable for temporary or long-term use
Leadership Quote
“When communities lose access, time matters. Our job is to move fast, safely, and responsibly. Partnering with NCDOT allowed us to restore critical access when people needed it most.”
— Lee Roberts, Owner, Innovative Bridge Company, LLC
Company Capabilities
- Temporary & permanent modular bridge systems
- Emergency disaster response deployment
- Railcar bridge fabrication & installation
- DOT-compliant load ratings and configurations
- Nationwide delivery and installation support
IBC installs hundreds of bridges annually across the United States, supporting both emergency recovery and long-term infrastructure needs.
About Innovative Bridge Company
Founded to solve access challenges others avoid, Innovative Bridge Company delivers practical, proven solutions for washed-out crossings, rural roads, industrial access, and emergency response scenarios.
Headquarters: United States
Service Area: Nationwide