Trail bridges are essential, cost-effective structures that provide safe and reliable river crossings for pedestrians and non-motorized transport in rural and remote areas. These bridges significantly enhance connectivity, improving access to markets and essential services, making them crucial components of rural infrastructure. Since 2011, Ethiopia has used a trail bridge standard and implemented a construction approach modeled after Nepal’s system. However, this approach has not been updated or adapted to suit Ethiopia’s local conditions. This paper critically examines Ethiopia’s current trail bridge construction practices, which rely heavily on standardized steel modules and components developed in Nepal. It evaluates their suitability and adaptability within the Ethiopian context. By developing case study comparing the proposed Ethiopia’s approach with Nepal’s, the study provides recommendations for modifying these standard modules to better align with local needs, enhance scalability, and improve rural connectivity across the country. The study concludes that the standardized modular construction method for trail bridges is crucial for scaling up and accelerating construction to meet the high demand for bridges in the country. However, the construction methodology requires advancements and adaptations to local conditions to address evolving needs. Additionally, enhancing the effectiveness of the system can be achieved by optimizing steel components, integrating local construction methods and fabrication techniques, and preserving a simple, practical design.