Bridge repair

gcp · Apr 30, 2007

Gentlemen, I have a project I'd like to tackle next. My property has a necessary to cross small bridge in order to get to the barn and trailer. It was build, as the pictures indicate, rather well with what appears to be solid foundation of steel beams and railroad ties but the wood planks over it were not treated so most have rotted. I am debating as to whether I should remove it period and build a cement culvert with dirt over it, or simply buy treated/dipped creosote lumber and repair the bridge. The kicker is that when we have poor downs here there's quite a lot of pond water that flows under the bridge and into a creek so I don't want to take any chances with washing off my drive if the culvert can't handle the flow.

I took a bunch of pictures over the weekend to give you a better understanding of what the realities on the ground are so experts, please feel free to give me your inputs.

George/Property projects - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Thanks,

crbr · Apr 30, 2007

I have worked as a Civil Engineer in the past (construction of nuclear power plants), prior to moving into Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Technology (degrees come with it too

). No real way to provide resolution through a picture but it certainly looks worthy of repair. And beside that, I look at things in a slightly different manner. The bridge has a certain attraction of character that a new concrete culvert could never duplicate. That said, the culvert would require an entire different excavation and infastructure for installation. Honestly, unless you're bent on doing a culvert, I'd repair that bridge and use it any day. The beams look like their size will accommodate most loads. They appear to be 10" - 14" beams, but again the picture may be misleading to my **** viewing.

All said, my thoughts are opinion based and biased because I like the bridge, just as I do old wooden barns, etc...

I really enjoyed the pics too. :tiphat:

EddieWalker · Apr 30, 2007

Where would you find creosote lumber? Railroad ties rot out here in just a few years when used in landscaping and fence posts.

That said, I'd rebuild it. You have the basics in place, so it's just a matter of upgrading and repairing it.

Switching to a culvert could mean allot more trouble and issues. Unless you size it right, it's very likely to fail on you long before the bridge will. Culverts are cheap and easy ways to cross small creaks. For larger ones, it's going to take a very large culvert. VERY LARGE!!!

Eddie

gcp · May 1, 2007

crbr & Eddie thank you for your opinions! I know it's hard correctly evaluating from pictures alone but try describing my dilemma without pics....

There are two reasons I've entertained building the culvert, 1) the county's emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, will not cross my bridge. I was told that there was a note attached to the address indicating the bridge is not sturdy enough for such vehicles. I'd also like to eventually build my retirement house up there and if so heavy equipment will have to cross the bridge and up the hill, vehicles like cement trucks.....too heavy I am afraid for what's there now. 2) even using creosote and/or treated lumber the wood planks will be a constant worry for repair. Eddie, a local feed store has 16 foot creosote impregnated 3x3s?? for $27 each. As you can see I've used landscape lumber to repair what's already bad, they are 8 footers and work great but they are a bit short for my taste.....visually I'd like for them to be 12 foot long each as the original lumber is. Are there any other alternatives of treated lumber I can use that would not require replacement every few years?

I agree with you both, I like to keep the bridge due to its character, it’s the constant repair headache, and a few posts around here

about building a culvert that make me consider it as a pragmatic long term alternative.

weldingisfun · May 1, 2007

gcp said:
crbr & Eddie thank you for your opinions! I know it's hard correctly evaluating from pictures alone but try describing my dilemma without pics....

There are two reasons I've entertained building the culvert, 1) the county's emergency vehicles, including ambulances and fire trucks, will not cross my bridge. I was told that there was a note attached to the address indicating the bridge is not sturdy enough for such vehicles. I'd also like to eventually build my retirement house up there and if so heavy equipment will have to cross the bridge and up the hill, vehicles like cement trucks.....too heavy I am afraid for what's there now. 2) even using creosote and/or treated lumber the wood planks will be a constant worry for repair. Eddie, a local feed store has 16 foot creosote impregnated 3x3s?? for $27 each. As you can see I've used landscape lumber to repair what's already bad, they are 8 footers and work great but they are a bit short for my taste.....visually I'd like for them to be 12 foot long each as the original lumber is. Are there any other alternatives of treated lumber I can use that would not require replacement every few years?

I agree with you both, I like to keep the bridge due to its character, it’s the constant repair headache, and a few posts around here about building a culvert that make me consider it as a pragmatic long term alternative.

I think you answered your own question. If you plan on building your retirement home on the other side of the bridge, may I suggest that you contact the county find out what they would accept as a crossing and go that direction.
Sorry, but it looks like you are stuck if you are looking at the long term.

1bush2hog · May 1, 2007

gcp said:
. Are there any other alternatives of treated lumber I can use that would not require replacement every few years?

Black/Yellow Locust will outperform treated wood. Not sure where you are located so maybe locust is not an option.

Another option would be to replace the wood with steel. Sounds like you need to find out from the county what code you need to bring the bridge up to before you do anything.

schmism · May 1, 2007

its ground contact that is really detimental to RR ties and or treated material.

Being suspended in the air were it has a chance to dry out, id say treated material for bridge deck would work fine for many years. (look at decks)

Remember you can always cover it to keep the weather off of it and have your own mini covered bridge

firemanpat2910 · May 1, 2007

How many beams are under it? How long is the span? and why wont they cross it? too narrow? too long? How much wieght have you ever put on it? I helped build a bridge at a friends house we used 4 steel beams (inside set centered on car tire width of 4 randomly selected cars, outside set to the width of my firetucks outer wheels) then we decked it with RR ties that were run through a saw mill to make 3" thick planks. plenty strong and reduces weight over full RR ties. You might just have to strengthen the ends and maybe add a beam or 2 to get the countys ok. I agree with other posters bridge looks better but if you are moving there firetrucks need to go over it

MarkV · May 1, 2007

I’m kind of wondering with County recording the bridge as inadequate for emergency vehicles if you can get homeowners insurance for that retirement home? I believe I’d have to find out what the county required then make a decision.

Personally I think the pressure treated lumber would do just fine as decking. It is not in ground contact, has air flow around it, so I don’t see why it should not hold up.

MarkV

Defective · May 1, 2007

From your pictures, it would be a crime to put a culvert in. That location just needs its old fashioned bridge.

If you can afford to do it, I'd talk to the county engineer and work out a solution that saves (or possibly replaces in kind) that beautiful old bridge.