Building 55' Bridge Across Creek - Utility Poles

[gable74]

Looks like a flawless transition from ramp to bridge. Are you going to put some gravel down before the ramp?

Thanks, it turned out very nice. Yes, as soon as I can get across with the cart, I will haul some gravel back there for the ramp transitions on both ends. I just need to make some minor adjustments to the trail leading up to the bridge first.

Thunderstorms and rain today, so I will let my body rest a bit.

 

[Raul-02]

Nice build.
if I did that in my state i'd have the state EPA up my back side with warrants guns and police. They actually trespasse my property to survey and mark out anywhere there was water.

 

[gable74]

Nice build.
if I did that in my state i'd have the state EPA up my back side with warrants guns and police. They actually trespasse my property to survey and mark out anywhere there was water.

Thanks. Ouch, sorry to hear that about your area. This bridge is nowhere near the borders of my property, so you would have to do some serious trespassing to see it. I would get you on one of my trail cams long before you found it anyway. I do get the occasional kids playing in the woods, but they ain't got no stinking badges .

Got to love the Spartan GoLive Cams, I get a text picture within 10 seconds of something walking past one.

 

[gable74]

I can finally say that other than a few touch ups, I think I am about finished with this project. Besides running the track off the mini-excavator yesterday, the last few weekends went pretty well. We did get about 5 inches of rain from the remnants if Hurricane Ida last week that washed my old foot bridge halfway down the creek, but it never got more than 2 feet away from the new bridge, so I am happy about that.

I got the ends ripped down, pulled the dirt up tight to other side, leveled out a few spots on the lead-in trail, and got the bumper rails installed. Took the cart across for her maiden voyage and all went well! I will let everything settle a few weeks before putting some gravel at both ends. Total bridge length, including the ramp, ended up being 72 feet and some change.

 

[deezler]

Outstanding! The wood looks real nice when wet, any plans to stain/preserve it?

how many 20v batteries did it take to cut all the ends off?

your ‘yote has a nice snack there.

 

[Whenu]

Nice work,would it been an advantage to raise the bumpers up with spacers?

 

[EddieWalker]

It sure looks nice and clean!! I love the lines of it.

Any idea what the coyote is carrying? Dinner? A pet? one of it's babies?

 

[gable74]

Outstanding! The wood looks real nice when wet, any plans to stain/preserve it?

how many 20v batteries did it take to cut all the ends off?

your ‘yote has a nice snack there.

LOL....its the 60v version but it still took 3 batteries, a sore back, and tender knees. Nothing like ripping 140' of 2" green oak . I am going to let it dry out a year or so and then decide on stain/protection. Any suggestions on how to protect/stain white oak?

Nice work, would it been an advantage to raise the bumpers up with spacers?

Yeah, I thought about that too. There is some space between the planks so water wont be an issue, but we will see how it goes. Adding some spacers down the road would be pretty easy if I needed to.

 

[gable74]

It sure looks nice and clean!! I love the lines of it.

Any idea what the coyote is carrying? Dinner? A pet? one of it's babies?

Its a possum. My wife is hoping he was just helping it across the bridge

 

[npalen]

Just read the thread title here and haven't read any posts.
Anyone tried building a covered bridge out of a shipping container? (Bridges of Mason County)

 

[Doorman63]

LOL....its the 60v version but it still took 3 batteries, a sore back, and tender knees. Nothing like ripping 140' of 2" green oak . I am going to let it dry out a year or so and then decide on stain/protection. Any suggestions on how to protect/stain white oak?


Yeah, I thought about that too. There is some space between the planks so water wont be an issue, but we will see how it goes. Adding some spacers down the road would be pretty easy if I needed to.

I used 2/3 boiled linseed oil 1/3 turpentine. Mixed in a 5 gallon bucket and brushed on. 2 coats so far, probably used a gallon total for my bridge. Approx 30’ long with handrails.

 

[gable74]

I used 2/3 boiled linseed oil 1/3 turpentine. Mixed in a 5 gallon bucket and brushed on. 2 coats so far, probably used a gallon total for my bridge. Approx 30’ long with handrails.

Did you let the wood dry out first?

 

[deezler]

I would imagine you'll get better results and long term protection by letting the wood dry out first, yeah. Do you have a wood moisture meter?

Even something basic link regular Thompsons water seal would probably work well.

 

[Doorman63]

Did you let the wood dry out first?

I used standard #2 2x6. They were already dry

 

[gable74]

I will post back at a later date if/when I decide to use some protectant. If anyone has any questions, comments, or suggestions, I will keep an eye on this thread. Thanks.

 

[deezler]

Fair enough, but do take some glamour shots when your fall colors hit.

 

[gable74]

Fair enough, but do take some glamour shots when your fall colors hit.

Will do, for sure!

 

[gable74]

Hello, all. Just stopping in for a quick update. Bridge is doing great, fall colors are starting to creep in.....and we had a "Storm of the Century" (or so they called it) here in the Mid-Atlantic along the bay where we live yesterday. Extreme high tides combined with inches of rain produced some crazy effects along the shore areas around here. To say I was a tad concerned would put it mildly, but even though the water crept higher than its been in 40 years, it did no damage to the bridge, and this morning, water levels are backing off. Pic one is normal, pic two was about 4 hours before the water hit its high point, and pic 3 is as high as it got, but its night and tough to see.

Normal conditions see the water levels anywhere from 42" - 48" below the bridge pole stringers. At its height yesterday, it was less than a foot. You can see in the night pic, the water was above the 2nd 6x6 that the poles sit on.

I will try to post up some fall pics once the colors really get going

 

[EddieWalker]

Beautiful Fall color!!!

It sure looks like you placed the bridge at the perfect height.

 

[Golden Rocket]

For the treatment process - I have seen the application of a DIY mixture used on a trl deck, it is going on mine as well as all of my yard hand tools (wooden handles). The mixture is 1 part diesel and two part (used) oil (transmission, hyd etc). There will be some odour issues for a short spell however, I can sure attest to the use of diesel, it has been my go to for years for treating my leather boots.