How to Build a Timber Bridge: Design, Engineering and Construction

Unlike many other bridge builders, York Bridge Concepts is a full service construction company, offering everything from initial consultation to construction on your site. We often work directly with the Owner, Developer, Architect or General Contractor to coordinate all aspects of the construction process, ensuring the smooth and on-time completion of your bridge. Below you will see the detailed step-by-step timeline of what to expect when purchasing a York Timber Bridge. We truly work with you every step of the way to ensure that you receive the bridge you’ve envisioned at the highest quality possible.

Design, Engineering & Construction Phase:

The following is what you should typically expect just 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. In this phase we will work closely with you to understand your bridge needs and come up with a customized design for your project.

YBC Project Manager (PM) contacts you to set up the best time for them to come out and see the site.
Once our Project Manager arrives, he will review the grading, site access, precise location of bridge(s), backfill, rip rap and clearing.
You will need to communicate any changes, time frames or special requests at this time.
If required, you should begin the permitting process if you have not already done so.
Usually completed within 2-6 days of contract.

YBC Designer starts designing your bridge.
Once your design has been completed, a design package is sent out for your approval. This package will include shop drawings of your bridge. At this point, they will not be engineer sealed or include calculations.
Usually completed in 2-6 weeks, depending upon scope.

Upon approval of drawings, an engineer, licensed in the state of your project, completes calculations and seals each drawing, ensuring the structural viability of your bridge.
At this time we will begin to devise a safety plan for your project.
Usually completed within 1 week.

PM 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 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.
At this time, the bridge site should be surveyed showing the elevation and path of the bridge.

Construction Phase:

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, should be invaluable.

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.
Once this stage is complete, you will be given the opportunity to authorize our crew to begin construction.
YBC’s crew will verify the elevation and the path of the bridge that was been previously laid out.

Before construction commences, the entire YBC crew willl have a daily morning safety meeting.
Once the meeting has been completed, construction on your bridge begins, 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.

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.

Auguring/Drilling: 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.

Concrete footers: When soil conditions do not permit the piling to reach the required depth for stability, one of many option available are 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.

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.
With foreman onsite daily and periodic visits from a project manager, YBC can ensure that you are receiving the highest quality bridge possible.
Management's daily review of the piling logs and digital photography have taken YBC's commitment to quality to an even 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 and Required Owners Maintenance Program.
Our commitment to Quality Assurance is illustrated by the strict guidelines each site must pass during this post-construction inspection.

Bridge Design, Engineering & Construction