MAADI Group Featured in Industry Spotlight for Pioneering Aluminum Pedestrian Bridges and Green Marine Infrastructure
We’re proud to share that MAADI Group is featured in the 2025 special edition of Bridge Design & Engineering (BD&E)—a globally respected publication known for its in-depth reporting on bridge innovation and engineering excellence. This edition spotlights advancements in active travel infrastructure and alternative bridge materials, two fields where MAADI Group has established itself as a leader in aluminum pedestrian bridges and marine infrastructure through cutting-edge, sustainable solutions.
Bridge Design & Engineering is published by Hemming Group Ltd, a UK-based media company headquartered in London. Its online platform, Bridgeweb.com, serves as a key industry resource for professionals in infrastructure planning, design, engineering, and construction. With coverage spanning international projects, technical insights, and emerging technologies, it is regarded as one of the most authoritative voices in the civil and structural engineering world.
MAADI Group Recognized for Sustainable Innovation in Aluminum Bridge and Marina Infrastructure
MAADI Group, a Canadian leader in aluminum civil and marine infrastructure, has been spotlighted in a recent industry feature for its groundbreaking work in pedestrian bridges, cycling pathways, and marine structures. Headquartered in Québec—home to some of the world’s greenest aluminum thanks to nearly 100% hydroelectric power— the company merges sustainable materials with advanced engineering to deliver low-maintenance, corrosion-resistant solutions tailored for active transportation and coastal environments.
For over 20 years, MAADI Group has specialized in the engineering, fabrication, and supply of lightweight aluminum bridge kits and decking systems designed for pedestrian, cyclist, and even military use. CEO Alexandre de la Chevrotière highlights the company’s flagship GuarDECK™ system, which uses tongue-and-groove aluminum deck panels with stainless steel T-bolt fasteners—eliminating the need for onsite drilling or welding. The design supports efficient installation, high durability, and long-term performance, even in coastal environments prone to corrosion.
Proven Performance of GuarDECK™ in National Park Bridge Retrofit
One of the company’s showcase projects is in Îles-de-Boucherville National Park, Québec, where MAADI replaced aging timber bridges and a diesel-powered ferry with GuarDECK™ over steel girders spanning up to 120 meters. The GuarDECK™ system, weighing approximately 85% less than a 6-inch concrete slab and 50–70% less than standard steel grating, delivers exceptional durability and corrosion resistance. Its performance makes it an ideal solution for pedestrian bridges in humid or coastal environments. These bridges feature aluminum bridge deck panels installed atop steel girders, using a patented epoxy and grit coating that acts as an anti-slip layer while effectively preventing galvanic corrosion.
In collaboration with the University of Waterloo, MAADI conducted destructive load testing in laboratory conditions and monitored on-site thermal expansion between steel and aluminum through a complete freeze-thaw cycle. The results confirmed long-term structural integrity and zero maintenance even five years after installation. Additionally, external third-party testing was performed on the bridge deck’s surface friction in accordance with ASTM E303-22 standards. The tests demonstrated excellent slip resistance, with results of dry ≥ 70 BPN and wet ≥ 25 BPN parallel to traffic, and dry ≥ 75 BPN and wet ≥ 35 BPN perpendicular to traffic.
MAADI Group highlights the exceptional benefits of lightweight aluminum—as much as 45% lighter than equivalent steel truss systems—for retrofitting aging traffic bridges, particularly those built with narrow sidewalks. By cantilevering aluminum walkways alongside existing bridge structures, this solution minimizes added structural load while maximizing functionality and efficiency. The Jasper™ system, MAADI’s modular aluminum pathway, improves bridge usability, enhances pedestrian and cyclist safety, and optimizes traffic flow in multi-use environments.
This retrofit approach offers a smart, cost-effective alternative to full bridge reconstruction. Designed for infrastructure modernization, cantilevered aluminum walkways enable fast installation, resist corrosion, and deliver long-term durability—making them an ideal solution for upgrading roadway bridges to support safe, accessible active transportation routes.
North Carolina Bridge Retrofit Showcases Aluminum’s Versatility and Sustainable Advantages
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the Tar River Bridge retrofit added a 189-meter-long cantilevered pedestrian path to an existing bridge. By using aluminum trusses and ribbed decking, MAADI significantly reduced dead load while improving pedestrian safety and accessibility. The bridge, with a clear width of 2.6 meters, supports both pedestrian and light vehicular loads, demonstrating the versatility of aluminum in infrastructure retrofits.
While aluminum’s lower modulus of elasticity makes it less suitable for heavy-load bridge applications compared to steel, MAADI Group addresses these limitations through advanced engineering techniques—including material isolation methods and dielectric coatings to prevent galvanic corrosion. In line with its commitment to sustainability, the company is also increasing its use of recycled aluminum and incorporating more renewable energy into its manufacturing processes.
To learn more, read the full report: Opportunities for the Use of Aluminum in Vehicular Bridge Construction.
Redefining Active Transportation with Aluminum Infrastructure Across North America
As cities and governments shift focus toward eco-conscious infrastructure with minimal maintenance needs, MAADI Group stands at the forefront. With successful projects across North America and ongoing exploration of larger installations—like a prototype path for the 2.3 km Jacques Cartier Bridge in Montréal—the company is helping to redefine the future of active transportation and marina design with aluminum.
Read the full feature in Bridge Design & Engineering – Active Travel 2025 (pages 24–26) to discover how MAADI is redefining the future of aluminum design in marine and civil infrastructure.
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