Pre Construction Phase:

The following is what you should typically expect after contracting with YBC on a standard project.  The pre construction phase can become much more involved should you choose some of the various design or engineering options available to you.  Please see our Design & Engineering page for details.

• YBC Project Coordinator (PC) contacts you to review the site preparations and project details.
• You will communicate any changes, time frames or special requests. You should also begin the permitting process if you have not already done so and if it is required.
• Usually completed within 2-6 days of contract.

This phase may include a site visit by the YBC Field Operations Manager or a foreman to verify site conditions and scope.

• YBC Design Team designs your bridge.  You will be sent a set of drawings to approve before the project moves forward.
• At this point, you should begin thinking about grading, site access, precise location of bridge(s), etc. 
• Usually completed in 2-6 weeks, depending upon scope.

• An engineer, licensed in the state of your project, completes calculations and seals each drawing, ensuring the structural viability of your bridge.
• Usually completed within 1 week.

• PC begins procuring your materials.
• YBC runs a "just in time" operation, so coordination at this point is vital to ensuring the materials and equipment arrive on site the same day as the construction crew. 
• For a Vehicular bridge, this phase usually takes 4-5 weeks. If you have requested upgraded materials or lumber, the procurement process may take longer. 

• YBC communicates the final scheduling of your project.
• You should ensure that the staging area is ready, grading is complete, vegetation is removed and that the final bridge site and access road is complete.

   

Construction Phase:

• YBC crew arrives, in uniform and with the proper tools and equipment, and begins to unload their equipment trailer.

• Concurrent to YBC's arrival, the materials and lumber will begin to arrive. 
• At this point, the staging area, secure storage and access road you have previously designated will be invaluable.

Secure storage

• YBC's Foreman will spend time walking the job site with you. Together, you will review the Pre-Construction paperwork. Any complex site issues will be discussed. 
• YBC crew lays out elevation and path of the bridge.
• Once this stage is complete, you will be given the opportunity to authorize our crew to begin construction.

• Construction commences, usually from the Deck level.
• Typically the track hoe or larger piece of equipment drives the piling from its position on the deck of the bridge until the piling reaches an appropriate depth. 
• As this process continues, the track hoe follows the growth of the bridge, never intruding into the protected areas. 
• Click here to read a more detailed description of YBC's Deck level construction method.

• The first task is to drive piling, usually from equipment located on the deck of the bridge. 
• If the piling cannot be properly driven according to the terms of the contract, alternate methods may be used, such as splicing, auguring, or concrete footer installation.
• When these situations occur, you will be notified immediately and be informed of your choices by the PC. These are not standard situations and will be outside the parameters of the contract. Your Sales Representative can offer further guidance in planning for this contingency. 

Driving piling to the point of refusal on a

low-profile bridge using a vibratory hammer.

Splicing: When the piling is exceeding the maximum contracted depth, we usually construct pile extensions whereby one piling is attached to another, end to end, with heavy-duty galvanized bolts. The spliced portion is usually driven into the ground and not visible on your finished bridge. 

Concrete footers: When soil conditions do not permit the piling to reach the required depth for stability, you may choose concrete footers. YBC will insert a steel "form", or casing, into the ground and insert the timber piling. Concrete is poured around the base of the piling for stability.

Auguring: Also used when soil conditions do not permit the piling to reach the required depth for stability. During this process, a large bit (auger) is attached to the boom of the track hoe and a hole is drilled for the timber piling. Usually used in rocky, very dry, or extremely hard soil conditions. 

• Each day during construction, YBC reviews photographs of your project for adherence to design specifications and high standards of material quality, construction techniques and safety requirements. This allows YBC the opportunity to control or correct any potential issues.
• Management's daily review of the piling logs and digital photography have taken YBC's commitment to quality to a higher level - bringing the control of a nationwide construction company back to the home office.

Post Construction Phase:

• Construction is complete and final walk-through of the bridge(s) is scheduled.

• At this meeting, we request that you walk through all of the completed bridges to ensure any concerns you may have had have been addressed.

   

• Post Construction paperwork is distributed, including the customer satisfaction survey.
• We ask that your site contact complete it at this time. We value the feedback received on these surveys and utilize the information to constantly improve. 
• Once the packet is received at headquarters, a final Close-Out package will be compiled for you. This package will include your formal 10-Year Structural Warranty and 3-Year Aesthetic Warranty, the Required Maintenance Program, recommendations for sealants, de-icers and many other important items.

• YBC Project Coordinator will contact you within 1 year after completion of your bridge to schedule a Quality Assurance check.
• Our commitment to Quality Assurance is illustrated by the strict guidelines each site must pass during this post-construction inspection.