Frequently Asked Questions

While many of our most commonly asked questions are answered here, we are sure you may have others. Please contact the experts at YBC for more information, or to discuss specific details about your Timber Vehicular Bridge needs.

Longevity & Maintenance

1.   How long will a Timber Vehicular Bridge really last?

2.   Will the buried portions of the abutments and piling begin to disintegrate over time?

3.   What kind of maintenance is required on a Timber Vehicular Bridge?

4.   Can a Timber Vehicular Bridge withstand the heavy, continuous traffic in my community?

Construction methods

5.   Can YBC pre-fabricate and deliver a timber bridge to my site?

6.   I need a bridge constructed during the winter months, but I am unable to find a contractor who will build until the weather conditions improve.  Can YBC help?

7.   How long will it take to build my bridge?

8.   Can YBC design a curve in a Timber Vehicular Bridge?

9.   Since my development is still in the early stages of construction, access can be a problem.  What type of access does YBC need?

10. What type of abutments should I use?

11. Because of permitting regulations, I can't drive piling in a protected area.  How can a bridge cross it?

12. Do you recommend screws or nails for fastening the guiderail?

Suitability

13. What kinds of materials does YBC use?  Do they vary with climate?

14. What kinds of projects are York Timber Vehicular Bridges best suited for?

15. What kind of options are available on a York Timber Vehicular Bridge?

Technical

16. What does HS20-44 mean? 

17. How long can a timber bridge be?

18. What kind of permits are required to build timber bridges? Can YBC help with the permitting process?

19. Can the bridge carry utilities?

20. How wide should my bridge be?

Services

21. I'm not ready to build – my project is still in the budgeting stage. Can YBC provide budgetary pricing?

22. What other services does YBC provide?

Treatments

23. I need a bridge with a pedestrian walkway that will have children walking over it regularly. Is the treatment on the wood safe for this type of application?

24. Isn't building wooden bridges harmful to the environment?

Longevity & Maintenance

1.  How long will a Timber Vehicular Bridge really last?

A: While the life of your specific bridge depends upon various factors, the U.S. Forest Service notes that more than 1,000 timber bridges at least 90 years old are still in service throughout the United States. Furthermore, since the quality and technology of pressure treatment has greatly increased in the last 90 years, you can expect that a bridge built today would last even longer. Superior materials, expert craftsmanship methods and the proper design work together to increase the longevity of your York Timber Vehicular Bridge.

2.  Will the buried portions of the abutments and piling begin to disintegrate over time?

A: The timber used has been specially pressure treated so that it can withstand burial for many years. In fact, government tests have proven that pressure-treated test stakes have never failed in over 20 years of in-ground testing.

3.  What kind of maintenance is required on a York Timber Vehicular Bridge?

A: The time and cost of the maintenance that is typically spent on a York Timber Vehicular Bridge is minimal.   YBC minimizes the maintenance requirements by choosing the proper materials and appropriate pressure treated timber for your specific crossing.  In addition, our attention to detail in the design and construction of the bridge, combined with our nearly 25 years of experience, guarantees a well-built, easily maintained bridge which can last a lifetime. 

5.  Can a Timber Vehicular Bridge withstand the heavy, continuous traffic in my community?

A: York Timber Vehicular Bridges are built to meet or exceed AASHTO standards of HS20-44, the most commonly accepted standard for highway safety today. To be sure, YBC offers a 10 year written structural warranty on all Timber Vehicular Bridges.

Construction methods

5.  Can YBC pre-fabricate and deliver a timber bridge to my site?

A: YBC does not typically pre-fabricate our bridges. When you choose a York Timber Bridge, you will have a unique and memorable crossing for your project, constructed on your site by one of our professional construction crews.

6. I need a bridge constructed during the winter months, but I am unable to find a contractor who will build until the weather conditions improve.  Can YBC help?

A: YBC's construction crews work year round, in all weather conditions. YBC has 20 years of experience constructing bridges in a wide range of weather situations, including snow, desert conditions, marine areas and more.

7. How long will it take to build my bridge?

A: Each project is unique. However, YBC's flexible scheduling, in-house design team and in-house construction crews work together to get your project designed, scheduled, and constructed in the shortest amount of time possible.  For example, YBC recently designed and built a 300' long Timber Vehicular Bridge, with custom guiderail, in just 3 months.  In this instance, the developer was ready to built immediately and was already in the permitting phase when he contacted YBC.  Your time frame requests will be considered and discussed early in the process.  In general, our process of design, materials procurement and construction can be faster than many other bridge builders. 

The process begins when we receive your deposit and begin designing your bridge. When the design is complete, we will send you a set of shop drawings for approval. Once you approve the drawings, we order materials and place your project on our construction schedule.  The schedule is prepared according to your needs, site preparation, the availability of our construction crews and the materials acquisition.  It takes great coordination between all stakeholders, so at the beginning of our relationship we will usually “ballpark” a timeframe.  As the project moves forward, we will confirm the date.

Click here to read more about what you can expect during the construction process.

A: Absolutely.  It's a design request that we can incorporate at no additional cost, and it greatly adds to the aesthetic appeal of your bridge. Read our Big Canoe case study to find out how we were able to incorporate graceful curves and arches into our design, meeting originally planned aesthetic objectives. 

9. Since my development is still in the early stages of construction, access can be a problem.  What type of access does YBC need?

A:  In order to properly build the bridge, YBC needs adequate access to each work site for construction materials and equipment.  Specifically, in three areas:

1.  Access to a staging area, where our delivery trucks can drop off the materials and lumber and we can then transport the materials to the bridge location.  YBC usually has lumber delivered in stages, especially for projects with large or multiple bridges.  Even though, the staging area should be at least 100' x 100'. 
2.  Access to carry the materials and equipment to the bridge site, which may include application of gravel to solidify the road surface and permit entry during inclement weather.  This access should be maintained throughout the construction process, especially during inclement weather.
3.  Access to build the bridge, which may include removal of vegetation and trees, road shaping, or scraping.  If we are constructing a pile-supported bridge, we require access to only one side of the bridge site; however, if we are building a glu-lam design, we will need access to both sides. 

10. What type of abutments should I use?

A: YBC eliminates the guesswork by designing and building the timber abutments with 5-10 foot wingwalls for all of our timber bridges. Our craftsmen are experienced in building the timber bridge, as well as the adjoining timber abutment. 

11. Because of permitting regulations, I can't drive piling in a protected area.  How can a bridge cross it?

A: YBC has many years of experience in just this type of situation.  The design team can choose from various span types, which will be customized specifically for your project and crossing needs. In general, freespan designs are used for shorter distances, while a combination span (a combination of freespan and pile supported sections in the non-protected area) are usually used for larger, longer crossings, and are a more economical choice.

Our sales professionals are truly experts at guiding you towards the right type of timber bridge for your need. Please contact YBC for more detailed information.

12. Do you recommend screws or nails for fastening the guiderail?

A: YBC has found that screws are better in this situation in order to minimize loosening of the connections.  YBC goes the extra mile by using a patented screw made specifically for YBC, designed to further minimize loosening over time.  When installed, this screw actually "bites" into and is incorporated into the surrounding timber, rather than pushing the surrounding wood aside like a nail.  This is just one of the many specialized materials that YBC uses for the specific purpose of increasing the longevity and decreasing the maintenance required on the bridge.   

Suitability

13.  What kinds of materials does YBC use?  Do they vary with climate?

A: YBC uses superior materials that have been specifically chosen to increase the longevity and decrease the maintenance required on your Timber Vehicular Bridge, and are chosen based upon your climate.  In addition, we offer upgrades, such as all stainless steel fasteners, exotic or tropical hard woods, upgraded wood treatment, and upgraded timber, among numerous other options.  Read more on our materials page.

14. What kinds of projects are York Timber Vehicular Bridges best suited for?

A: We firmly believe that York Timber Vehicular Bridges are right for virtually any setting. Many of our customers use a York bridge as the entrance to a new development - the Timber Vehicular Bridge helps to enhance the natural setting and evokes a feeling of warmth. The feel of timber bridges are immediately recognizable by your guests.

Many other customers use our bridges or boardwalks to cross wetlands areas. Generally speaking, difficult or sensitive crossings are YBC's specialty.  Our deck level construction method will ensure that no heavy machinery enters the protected wetlands area.  YBC can cross virtually any obstacle, including lakes/rivers, ponds, creeks/streams, ravines, roadways and wetlands areas.

15. What kind of options are available on a York Timber Vehicular Bridge?

A: Building with timber not only creates a warm, aesthetically pleasing crossing, it is extremely versatile compared to concrete or steel.  YBC offers numerous span types, various guiderail options, the application of a slip-resistant coating on the wear deck, and literally hundreds of other options to truly customize your bridge.  In addition, YBC's standard materials are of a superior quality; numerous upgrades are also available.  Some options include the application of an oil-based preservative reatment to increase the longevity of your Timber Bridge. With this option, you may never need to seal your bridge again.

Read more on our materials and bridge options pages. 

Technical

16.  What does HS20-44 mean? 

A:  HS20-44 refers to the loading specifications set forth by AASHTO, an agency that governs highway design and loading.  Essentially, HS20-44 capacity means that the bridge or highway is able to safely accommodate a 3-4 axle vehicle, such as a large semi-truck and trailer.  YBC builds Timber Vehicular Bridges to meet or exceed these AASHTO requirements.  Click here for definitions of other commonly used timber bridge terms. 

17. How long can a timber bridge be?

A: York Timber bridges can be built to virtually any length and still maintain their structural integrity.  YBC has experience in building Timber Vehicular Bridges of more than 275 feet in length, and boardwalk complexes of over 1500 linear feet.

A: Permitting requirements vary greatly.  A call to your local municipality will help you determine if a permit is required, and what the process will be.  YBC can assist you by providing necessary documentation regarding the bridge to the permitting agency.  This includes full engineered design plans, material certificates, and examples of work. 

A: Of course.  We can design the bridge to accommodate the utilities and usually even conceal the unsightly pipes or wires.  Our design team will factor in the weight of the utilities when calculating dead-load impact.  

20.  How wide should my bridge be?

A: For safety and stability during construction and beyond, YBC recommends standard minimum widths for pedestrian and cart/maintenance bridges - the width of a bridge must increase in direct proportion to the height. Vehicular bridges usually exceed the required width, and therefore do not have an absolute minimum. 

Pedestrian bridge: Minimum width 6', maximum height 8'.

Cart/Maintenance bridge: 10' high = minimum 8' wide, 20' high = minimum 10' wide, 35' high = 12' wide (standard width).

Timber Vehicular bridge: Standard single lane width = 16', Double lane = 32'. 

Services

21. I'm not ready to build – my project is still in the budgeting stage. Can YBC provide budgetary pricing?

A: Absolutely. In fact, many of our projects first come to us at this stage. Once we work together to determine the type of bridge you will need, we will draw on our extensive portfolio of past projects to give you general budgetary information. Our inherent ability to fully understand your project, make appropriate recommendations and build relationships will be invaluable as your project progresses.   

22. What other services does YBC provide?

A: While YBC specializes in design combined with on-site construction, YBC offers design/ engineering packages which can be customized depending upon your specific needs.  For example, we can provide expert consultation services, directly from an industry leader.  YBC also offers design / specification / engineering services for projects where the initial scope has already been established and you need more details or support with a bid process.  Lastly, YBC offers full design from our team of expert designers. 

Any or all of these individual services can be combined to form a package customized for your specific needs.  Read more at our Services page.

Treatments

23.  I need a bridge with a pedestrian walkway that will have children walking over it regularly. Is the treatment on the wood safe for this type of application?

A: Absolutely.  All treatments typically used by YBC is EPA approved, including ACQ and CCA treated timber.  At your request, YBC can also use other materials in construction.  In the past, we have utilized tropical hardwoods, composite decking material, or 100% recycled plastic lumber for decking & handrails.  Read more on our materials page.

24.  Isn't building wooden bridges harmful to the environment?

A: YBC uses primarily Southern Yellow Pine and Douglas Fir for all its timber structures. Wood is the only sustainable building material - it is a renewable resource unlike steel, concrete, or plastic. North America has more acreage of trees than it did even 70 years ago, due to responsible forestry practices.  In addition, according to the Southern Pine Council, "Wood contributes far fewer greenhouse gas emissions than its non-renewable counterparts, steel and concrete. Although wood products make up 47 percent of all raw materials made in the United States, its share of energy consumption during production is only four percent of all manufactured materials."  Visit our Links page for more research about this renewable building material.