A unique civil and environmental engineering course at Cornell University is allowing students to move beyond classroom theory by designing and constructing bridges that improve public access to parks and trails. The course, Engineering in the Community (CEE 3090), combines technical engineering education with public service, allowing students to develop infrastructure while learning the practical realities of planning, permitting, and project execution, tells Cornell Chronicle.
The program grew from an effort led by adjunct associate professor Charlie Trautmann to restore a deteriorating footbridge in the Cornell Botanic Gardens. Limited funding made student participation essential, and the successful completion of the 180-foot Flat Rock bridge in 2023 demonstrated that community infrastructure projects could also become valuable educational experiences. Additional collaborations followed, including a 45-foot truss bridge in the Monkey Run Natural Area, ultimately inspiring the creation of a dedicated academic course.
Unlike traditional design assignments, students are responsible for every phase of a project. They prepare site plans, perform structural design calculations, produce engineering drawings, estimate material costs, coordinate with suppliers, obtain environmental and construction permits, and communicate with local agencies and community organizations. Through these activities, they gain experience in project management, teamwork, public engagement, and regulatory compliance alongside structural engineering principles.
One of the course’s major projects involved designing a bridge for the Dryden Rail Trail after flooding created a 16-foot-deep, 45-foot-wide gap that prevented trail expansion. Because the permitting process extended beyond a single semester, students documented their work so subsequent classes could continue the project. A new group later completed prefabrication and construction while also designing and building another bridge for Water Tower Park in Interlaken, New York, expanding public access to a natural area within the village’s first public park.
The course demonstrates that engineering education can produce immediate community benefits while preparing students for professional practice. By integrating technical design with communication, collaboration, permitting, and construction, Cornell equips future engineers with the multidisciplinary skills required to deliver infrastructure projects that meet both engineering standards and community needs.