MERRIMACK -- A dedicated Boy Scout for more than six years, Ryan Sullivan was determined to complete an Eagle Scout project that would benefit the community for decades. The idea he came up with was for a footbridge to enhance the trails of Merrimack's Horse Hill Nature Preserve.

Sullivan, 17, had no idea how complicated his endeavor would become.

Originally designed to be a short, simple structure, the bridge ultimately evolved into a much larger and more complex piece of work, spanning more than 50 feet.

Months after receiving all of the required approvals, raising funds and obtaining supplies, Sullivan encountered his biggest hurdle: the effects of Tropical Storm Irene, the downgraded hurricane that hit New England last August.

“His first (construction) day just happened to fall on the day the hurricane came through,” said his father, Shelby Sullivan. “The riverbed was completely filled with water.”

But Ryan Sullivan, who last week started his senior year at Merrimack High School, said he was not going to let a little bit of marsh and swamp prevent him from completing his bridge.

“It seemed like it would be easy enough, but it was harder than expected,” he said.

Eventually, however, he was able to receive his Eagle Scout designation last month at a special ceremony in his honor.

Ryan Sullivan gives credit to a team of nearly 100 volunteers who helped him build the bridge, which is now used by hikers, bikers and hunters who travel the many trails at the Horse Hill Nature Preserve, a 560-acre parcel of conservation land and logging roads filled with wildlife.

“I am proud of the work I've done. I hope it lasts for 100 years,” he said.

He considers all the work that went into the bridge's construction a worthwhile and educational process.

Part of that process involved securing a donation of telephone poles from FairPoint Communications to use as underlying support beams for the bridge.

“We were absolutely astounded by the amount of detail in Ryan's plan, and he can be a very convincing individual over the phone,” said Jeff Nevins, FairPoint's public relations manager for New Hampshire. “It was a unique and creative bridge design, and we were pleased to be such a small part of the project.”

Nevins described Ryan Sullivan as a dedicated Boy Scout who was determined to see his plan come to fruition and who was eager to get the work done professionally and on schedule.

The total project cost about $1,200, but the Scout was able to raise money through bake sales, donations and compensation for various services.

Sullivan, a member of Boy Scout Troop 424 in Merrimack, attended about 10 meetings seeking approval from various entities, including the town, the preserve and the Merrimack Conservation Commission. He also had to file for a state wetlands permit to work in the area.

“Trying to stay on schedule was tough because I had to go through so many approvals,” he said.

According to Shelby Sullivan, his son was motivated to complete the project to the best of his abilities. Ryan, he said, spent hundreds of hours coordinating all of the different aspects of the bridge design, raising funds and working on the bridge's construction. In total, the project took nearly 1,380 hours to complete.

“The point was to do something bigger than himself, and I think he (achieved) that,” said the elder Sullivan, adding that he is incredibly proud of his son.

Ryan Sullivan sees his journey with Boy Scouts as far from finished. As a junior Scout master, he intends to help other Boy Scouts organize their Eagle Scout projects and develop leadership skills. He's already provided them with a model example.

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Kimberly Houghton may be reached at khoughton@newstote.com.