Pedestrian steel bridges — also called foot over bridges (FOB) or pedestrian over bridges (POB) — are structural steel bridges designed exclusively for pedestrian and cyclist traffic. In India, pedestrian steel bridges are constructed over roads, railways, rivers, and industrial areas where at-grade crossing is unsafe or impractical. They are a standard infrastructure element in urban areas, industrial plants, campuses, and railway stations. This guide covers types, design standards, fabrication, and span references.
Types of Pedestrian Steel Bridges
- Warren truss FOB: The most common type for railway and road over-bridges — triangulated steel trusses on either side with a steel deck. Spans of 20–60m. Economical and easy to fabricate and erect.
- Through truss bridge: Pedestrians walk within the truss depth — allows shallower construction depth where headroom below is critical.
- Box girder bridge: Welded steel box sections forming the main girders — clean appearance, used in urban and campus locations. Spans 15–40m.
- Suspension footbridge: Cable-stayed or suspended deck — for long spans 60–200m or architectural feature bridges. More complex to design and fabricate.
- Skywalk: Elevated pedestrian walkway connecting multiple buildings or platforms — common in metro stations, airports, and large industrial complexes.
Pedestrian Steel Bridge Design Standards India
- IRC 6:2017 — Standard specifications and code of practice for road bridges (loads including pedestrian live loads).
- IS 800:2007 — Structural steel design code for bridge members and connections.
- IRS Steel Bridge Code — Indian Railway Standard for railway over-bridge steel design.
- IS 1915:1961 — Code of practice for steel bridges.
- IS 875 Part 3 — Wind loads for bridge design.
- IS 1893 — Seismic loads for bridges in seismic zones.
Pedestrian Bridge Span and Load Reference
| Bridge Type | Typical Span | Pedestrian Live Load | Steel Weight (approx) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-span FOB (road crossing) | 15–25m | 5.0 kN/m² | 8–20T |
| Medium-span FOB (railway crossing) | 25–45m | 5.0 kN/m² | 20–55T |
| Long-span FOB / skywalk | 45–80m | 4.0–5.0 kN/m² | 55–150T |
| Industrial plant bridge | 10–30m | 3.0–5.0 kN/m² | 5–30T |
Pedestrian Steel Bridge Components
- Main trusses or girders: Primary structural members spanning between supports. Warren, Pratt, or box girder depending on span and design brief.
- Cross-girders (floor beams): Transverse beams at panel points transferring deck loads to main trusses.
- Stringers: Longitudinal beams between cross-girders supporting the deck.
- Deck: Chequered plate, open bar grating, or composite deck depending on load, drainage, and appearance requirements.
- Handrails: Structural steel handrails to IRC 6 / NBC 2016 height (900–1,100mm) with kickplate at deck level.
- Stairways and ramps: Access structures at each end — stairways for standard FOBs, ramps for accessible / disability-compliant bridges.
- Bearings: Fixed and expansion bearings at supports to accommodate thermal movement and transfer loads to substructure.
- Substructure: RCC piers and abutments (civil scope — not steel fabrication).
Steel Structure Cost Per Kg and Per Tonne India — 2025 Reference
One of the most frequently asked questions in structural steel procurement is: what is the cost of structural steel fabrication per kg or per tonne in India? The answer depends on the complexity of the fabrication, the section type, the quantity, and the surface treatment specified.
| Structure Type | Fabrication Cost (₹/kg) | Fabrication Cost (₹/tonne) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple portal frame shed | ₹65–₹90/kg | ₹65,000–₹90,000/T | Standard sections, simple connections |
| Roof truss (angles/hollow sections) | ₹80–₹110/kg | ₹80,000–₹1,10,000/T | More joints and welding than frames |
| Plate girder / built-up section | ₹95–₹140/kg | ₹95,000–₹1,40,000/T | High welding content, NDT required |
| Pedestrian bridge / FOB | ₹100–₹150/kg | ₹1,00,000–₹1,50,000/T | Complex truss joints, deck, handrails |
| Miscellaneous / platforms | ₹110–₹160/kg | ₹1,10,000–₹1,60,000/T | High cutting and fitting content |
Above rates are fabrication-only (workshop) excluding steel material cost, surface treatment, transport, and erection. Steel material (IS 2062 E250) as of 2025: ₹55,000–₹65,000/tonne ex-mill. Total fabricated and painted steel delivered to site: add 25–40% to material cost for fabrication, painting, and transport.
Pedestrian Steel Bridge Fabrication — Suncorporation
Suncorporation Fabricators & Engineers fabricates and erects pedestrian steel bridges and foot over bridges for road crossings, railway crossings, industrial plants, and campus skywalks across India. Our bridge fabrication scope includes truss fabrication, cross-girders, deck plate, handrails, staircases, and bearing plates — all fabricated to IS 800:2007 and IRC/IRS standards with full weld inspection and dimensional records.
We serve bridge fabrication projects in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, and Kolkata. Contact us with your bridge drawings and span requirements for a detailed quotation.