Small bridge ideas?

[TXCOMT]

I've got a small creek that cuts off a corner of my property and would like to bridge it; the distance between banks is probably 15 feet, the land is mostly sandy loam (it's west of Weatherford, Texas) and the banks are level to each other. Depth is probably six to 10 feet (only a foot or two with water) and the flow is, umm, occasional. I suppose I could just find an old flatbed trailer and plop it across the way, but my wife would want something a little classy. I probably won't drive my soon-to-come Branson 2500H over it, but I could see a UTV making a trip or two every once in a while.

Should I even consider doing it myself or leave this one to some pros?

TXCOMT

 

[Shaneard]

My brother and I made one with 2 power poles for our four wheelers growing up. It was about 12 feet across and 4 feet wide. Worked great until the big rain came and it floated away. No idea where it is now.

Whatever you make it out of, make sure it's anchored down somehow.

 

[bcp]

What could be more "classy" than an old school bus with the ends cut off?



Seriously, I would try to find a spot to make a ford.

Bruce

 

[TXCOMT]

My brother and I made one with 2 power poles for our four wheelers growing up. It was about 12 feet across and 4 feet wide. Worked great until the big rain came and it floated away. No idea where it is now.

Hah! That would work great...now where to find some nearby poles!

TXCOMT

 

[ovrszd]

I built one a couple years ago. I think it's 22ft long. We drive our offroad buggies under it. I've crossed it with my Ford tractor and my Super Duty which weighs 7K. Haven't had the Kubota on it yet but have faith it would handle it. One end is on stacked slabs of sidewalk concrete. Other end is sitting on a limestone ledge slab that I dragged in place.

Used I beam stringers and treated bridge boards for decking. All material I had onhand. Great addition to our playground.

 

[TXCOMT]

That is a beautiful thing...well done, sir!

TXCOMT

 

[Streetcar]

Nice looking bridge, I live the name plate

 

[ovrszd]

Thanks for the compliments. I believe if you are going to take the time to build a bridge, build one that will outlive you with no fear of collapse.

It was a Family/Friends event getting it across the creek.

 

[Industrial Toys]

People always ask such questions. It depends on what resources you have at your disposal and how talented you are in such matters. I can't answer that.

If I had to come up with a small bridge, I might look for an old highway trailer frame. Having a longer bridge than you need would negate the requirement and expense of piers.

 

[ovrszd]

People always ask such questions. It depends on what resources you have at your disposal and how talented you are in such matters. I can't answer that.

If I had to look at a small bridge, I might look for an old highway trailer frame.

Yep. Flatbed design, not a van trailer, frame is stronger. One with axles under it will sell for $1500 around here. Then you can scrap the axle assemblies for $500.

 

[ovrszd]

What could be more "classy" than an old school bus with the ends cut off?



Seriously, I would try to find a spot to make a ford.

Bruce

That would be classy. But will seriously limit what you can cross with.

I wanted to build a roof over my bridge but scrapped that idea for the same reason.

 

[radios1]

why don't you just make a dam about 10 feet up stream then make a rock and dirt bridge after that??. unless you want the creek to make electricity..

 

[ovrszd]

I built this smaller bridge several years ago. Again steel frame. This time with corrugated heavy steel panels. I built it narrow so vehicles wouldn't try to cross it. Didn't think it was strong enough to hold a 4K lb buggy. ATVs, Motorcycles and UTVs cross it all the time.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Then, you blew up the dam?

 

[ovrszd]

why don't you just make a dam about 10 feet up stream then make a rock and dirt bridge after that??. unless you want the creek to make electricity..

If you were going to do that why not drive across the dam??

 

[TXCOMT]

I built this smaller bridge several years ago. Again steel frame. This time with corrugated heavy steel panels. I built it narrow so vehicles wouldn't try to cross it. Didn't think it was strong enough to hold a 4K lb buggy. ATVs, Motorcycles and UTVs cross it all the time.

View attachment 604984

View attachment 604985

View attachment 604986

Yep, something similar to this (yet even smaller) would probably work nicely for my purposes.

As for the other comments, nope, can't really dam it...the local Union Pacific B&B crew might have a small problem with that, as my property is about 40 feet from the Baird Sub main. The railroad crosses this same creek with a large, two-holed concrete culvert stamped "1926," so it'd probably be best to let it flow. Indeed, after cutting all grass on this place, my new tractor's first serious job will probably be cleaning out that creek as there's a lot of deadfall in it.

TXCOMT

 

[Industrial Toys]

That's kind of what I was alluding too. Looks like a gully with a lot of dead vegitation.

I wish we still had rail lines around here. All gone, long ago!

 

[ovrszd]

That's kind of what I was alluding too. Looks like a gully with a lot of dead vegitation.

I wish we still had rail lines around here. All gone, long ago!

Don't think we've saw the OP's area yet. Or maybe I missed something.... That happens.....

 

[grnspot110]

I used an old trailer house frame, bolted treated 2 x 6's to the frame to nail oak planks to:

After many years of use, the planks were deteriorating, so I added treated 2 x 10's & 2 x 8's to resurface:

This bridge spans the spillway at my north pond, I use it for the Gator, JD-790 & 755!

 

[Deere Dude]

I built one a couple years ago. I think it's 22ft long. We drive our offroad buggies under it. I've crossed it with my Ford tractor and my Super Duty which weighs 7K. Haven't had the Kubota on it yet but have faith it would handle it. One end is on stacked slabs of sidewalk concrete. Other end is sitting on a limestone ledge slab that I dragged in place.

Used I beam stringers and treated bridge boards for decking. All material I had onhand. Great addition to our playground.



View attachment 604976



View attachment 604977



View attachment 604978



View attachment 604979



View attachment 604980

I like that. I am dragging my feet to get a span across with 24' I Beams. A little skittish about it though.