I have a creek on my property I want to build a bridge over. We ride through it right now and it's looking pretty beat. I'd like to let it come back to natural. Any ideas on how to build one? I've got some logs and a pile of 2x4's. Should that be enough?

 

Make sure it will be wide enough.....nothing worse than slipping off the side of a bridge. I would use a 3rd log in the middle just to help out weight distribution but other than that, treated lumber....for longevity. Nice and simple, Good luck

 

first thing is dig a footer, or atleast a ditch the logs can lay in, so you dont have to drive up on the bridge. Make it level with the ground. How big are your logs? I would use 16" centers, burry the ends so it wont float away if it floods. If you have enough lumber, put the 2x4 top on in two layers going in different directions. First across and then long ways. This will make it much stronger, if you ever want to take a cart with a load on it. If your 2x4's are 8', then you can make it either 8' or 4' wide and not waste much lumber. You might also want to make some bumpers on the side with the extra lumber so no one would accidentally drive over the edge, especially when its snow covered. Are you logs long enough to span the creek with a couple of feet of over hang on each side. That will give you the extra room to burry them, also if you have any ground anchors, like they used to put on power poles, you can strap it down on one side. That way if it did flood, and it floated up, the bridge would swing to one side and not wash away.

 

The materials I like to use are old telephone poles for posts and beams and old railroad ties for decking. I've done a couple out of these materials and they turned out pretty well. They're heavy and can be hard to work with but they make a good bridge.

As for the actual design you need to have good footings on either side. You also need to have enough space underneath the structure so that high water can flow under it so make sure you have a good idea of how high the water gets during floods.

 

also depending on how long it is use a middle brace to hold it up in the middle as it would sag from the weight.

 

Breezer, it really does depend on how long a span your going to bridge. I will suppose that it is 8' or less to span. I would also use pressure treated wood for longevity as long as it is allowed over a stream. If not I would get railroad ties. If you took three ties and made the bridge 50"-52" wide the distance between the middle tie and outer ties would be about 20" taking into account the thickness of the ties. If you then run the 2x4s across the ties (or logs if you end up using them) it will be plenty strong for a quad. If you wanted to make it a little more abuse-proof add 2x4s on top of the first layer in such a way that you would have two foot wide strips running the length of the bridge where the quad tires would be. Pressure treated wood is true "ground contact" wood and usually will last at least 30 years even if buried in the sand. Hope this helps. You're a little too far away for me to come help. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Wow, Thanks a lot guys. I got a hold of a power pole and will zip that in two. I also have an oak tree that is nice and staright for the center pole. I think I'll go with the 2x4 deck and if enough left do a second layer. I'll need to print this thread and take it with me up to the farm! Have a great weekend!

 

HERE'S A BRIDGE DESIGN

LOL...................!