Replacing wooden bridge

[RichZ]

Interesting info, BT, thanks, again!

[RichZ]

Paul, thanks for the website! I used to own an antique shop, and my speciality was restoring and refinishing antique furniture. I had to learn to identify and match different types and grains of wood. I'm always interested in learning more about wood.

[RichZ]

Good story, Mike! Part of my job is doing building inspections, and I have leaned on rails (and other building parts) that have moved when they weren't supposed to! Not a happy feeling! Luckily my bridge already has permanent railing on the sides.

I originally was thinking of a steel grate deck. I'll do a search and see what I come up with about that.

[RichZ]

Here's a picture of my bridge. The railings are the same on each side, but wild grape is growing all over one side. The planks slide under the railing, and the bottom of the railing holds them in place.

[MikePA]

Neat bridge!

Here's a link to a study entitled 'Comparison of Bridge Deck Alternatives Using Life Cycle Costs'

[MikePA]

Here are some other links for grating sources. I did a Google search on 'steel grating'

FisherLudlow
Ohio Grating
McNichols
Bustin

As an afterthought, one of our horses refused to cross a steel grate bridge while a second one would only cross if we dismounted and walked him across.

[s1120]

<font color="red"> As an afterthought, one of our horses refused to cross a steel grate bridge while a second one would only cross if we dismounted and walked him across.
</font color>

Plus, there no fun on a motorcycle. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Plus, there no fun on a motorcycle. </font color>
Amen! Even less fun when they are wet. Even lesser fun on a bicycle. [img]/forums/images/icons/blush.gif[/img]

[RichZ]

Thanks, Mike! I e-mailed each of them for info!

[hazmat]

Rich,

At my last job we did business with McNichols. Highly reccommended.

How about installing a couple runners across the bridge parallel to traffic such that your vehicle tires ride on them. Should save wear &amp; tear on the planks. Might be tough to plow.

If you stick with wood, you definitely want a gap between each plank. Lets the water thru instead of sitting on top of the planks.