A timber bridge that is designed for foot or vehicular traffic can be used to cover a waterway or uneven terrain. Before having a bridge constructed, you will need to be granted permission to alter the land that the public will be utilizing. Additionally, you will need to consult with a contractor and come up with some preliminary plans.

The Permit

A project that is going to involve disrupting a section of land and adding a feature that will be accessed by pedestrians or motorists will require government permission. A local municipality that oversees permissions associated with construction upgrades will supply the paperwork needed to get your project started.

First, you should contact a representative of the municipality and provide them with some basic details about the bridge that will ultimately be constructed. You will be provided with the steps that you will need to take, once the preliminary drawings for the proposed bridge have been prepared.

The Consultation And The Plans

A construction contractor who plans bridge projects and builds bridges will need to measure the land where the new timber bridge will go. They will need to know if the bridge will be designated for foot traffic, vehicular traffic, or a combination of the two. The design of the bridge can contain marked lanes that will outline where people should walk or drive.

If the bridge will be supporting both foot and vehicular traffic, safety railings will need to be installed along each side of the bridge. There should be an enclosed area for people to walk. This will prevent pedestrians from becoming injured by a moving vehicle. Cedar is a wood material that is commonly used to construct bridges. Cedar can be stained and a preservative can be added to it. A preservative will protect wooden components from moisture damage.

If a bridge will be used to cross over a gap that contains a natural body of water, a contractor will need to know more about the water. They will measure the depth of the water and will determine if the body of water is likely to rise during specific times of the year. If the water level will fluctuate, a bridge may need to be set upon pillars.

The pillars will provide plenty of clearance from the rising waters. A specific type of hardware may need to be used along the underside of the bridge. The hardware will attach cedar planks that compose the base. These metal pieces will be designed to be resilient against moisture.

Contact a contractor near you for more information about timber bridges.