Bear Creek Residential Vehicular Bridge
Ormond Beach, Florida | Crossing Over Protected Wetlands | 55+ Resort Community
At the heart of Bear Creek, a thriving 55+ resort-style community in Ormond Beach, Florida, lies a testament to sustainable engineering and premium craftsmanship: a custom double-lane residential vehicular bridge with an attached pedestrian section bridge built by York Bridge Concepts (YBC). Designed to connect the development's neighborhoods while preserving the integrity of surrounding protected wetlands, this bridge embodies YBC's Design-Engineer-Build approach and environmental leadership.
Serving more than 700 homes, this bridge does more than just provide safe passage--it supports the lifestyle and aesthetic vision of a resort-inspired community. This bridge gracefully spans sensitive terrain while preserving ecological balance and enhancing the property's value and appeal.
Specifications
- Vehicular Width:
- 26' (24' 9" clear)
- Pedestrian Width:
- 4'10" (4'3" clear)
- Length:
- 270'
- Height:
- 11' above grade
- Capacity:
- H-10 & 85 PSF
- Construction:
- Deck Level
- Span Type:
- Repetitive Span
- Span Lengths:
- (18) 15'
- Material:
- CCA/CA-C Treated Southern Yellow Pine
- Foundation:
- Timber Piles & Abutments (Acrylic/Polymer Coated where exposed)
- Stringers:
- SYP Timber (Acrylic/Polymer Coated where exposed)
- Vehicular Deck System:
- 4 ½” Double Timber Deck
- Pedestrian Deck System:
- 1-½” Timber Deck
- Crossing:
- Flood Plain
- Guard Rail:
- Decero™ Classic Design Series
- Handrail:
- Decero™ Horizontal Rail Design Series
"The Bear Creek Bridge connects a 55+ community of 700 homes and has created not only a practical crossing for cars and pedestrians, but a central meeting place for residents. The ambiance and sense of community has definitely been heightened due to this wonderful addition. The process could not have gone better. The field crew was informative, aware of their surroundings, and considerate to our curious residents. Safety was their top priority as well as maintaining the cleanest construction site I’ve ever seen. The on-site foreman went above and beyond and brought challenges to our attention that were out of his scope. The project schedule was 98% on-target, which is unheard of nowadays."Cyndi King, VP of Operations, Blair Group
A Sustainable Solution For A Growing Community
Bear Creek isn't just a residential neighborhood; it's a vibrant active adult community with amenities designed for relaxation, recreation, and connection to nature. When development plans called for a roadway extension through environmentally sensitive areas, the challenge was clear: how to maintain access and functionality without sacrificing the site's ecological integrity.
YBC answered the call with a custom residential vehicular bridge, sustainably designed and strategically constructed to:
- Preserve protected wetlands
- Minimize site disruption
- Complement the community's architectural style
- Ensure long-term durability and low maintenance
By choosing timber as the primary material, YBC not only reduced the project's carbon footprint but also delivered a warm, inviting aesthetic that seamlessly blends into the surrounding landscape.
The Power of the Design-Engineer-Build Process
What sets YBC apart in the industry is our integrated Design-Engineer-Build methodology. Unlike traditional construction processes that involve separate vendors and contractors, YBC manages every phase under one roof--ensuring design intent, structural integrity, and construction precision are always aligned.
For the Bear Creek bridge, this meant:
- Designers and engineers collaborated early to craft a structure that met both vehicular load requirements and environmental restrictions.
- YBC's in-house Design & Engineering Team engineered components to exacting standards.
- Our master craftsmen deployed our proprietary Deck-Level™ construction method, working from the bridge deck downward to minimize ground disturbance.
The result was a frictionless process that kept the project on schedule, met regulatory compliance, and delivered an elegant infrastructure solution to a community that demands excellence.
Deck-Level™ Construction: Built from the Top Down
One of the core innovations YBC brought to the Bear Creek project was the use of our Deck-Level™ Construction technique. Unlike traditional bottom-up methods, Deck-Level construction allows crews to build from the top down--eliminating the need for extensive excavation, temporary roads, or equipment intrusions into the wetland area.
This method proved invaluable in Bear Creek for several reasons:
- Preserved delicate wetland vegetation and soil structure beneath the bridge
- Reduced equipment footprint and construction traffic within the natural environment
- Accelerated installation timelines due to construction on-site preplanning efficiency
- Improved safety for crews working from a controlled platform
The end product is not only environmentally sensitive but also structurally sound--capable of supporting everyday residential vehicular traffic while blending harmoniously with the Florida terrain.
Engineered for Resilience, Designed for Beauty
YBC's bridge at Bear Creek was designed to meet AASHTO HS-20 vehicular loading standards, ensuring it could handle consistent traffic from residents, service vehicles, and emergency responders.
But durability didn't come at the expense of aesthetics. The bridge was custom-finished with YBC's signature Legacy Series, including:
- Premium oil-based coatings for weather resistance and UV protection
- Tropical hardwood decking that resists rot, moisture, and wear
- Custom railings and copper post caps that add refined visual appeal
The bridge now acts as a functional landmark--offering a scenic entryway into the Bear Creek community while symbolizing the neighborhood's commitment to luxury living and environmental stewardship.
Navigating Regulatory Requirements with Ease
Building over protected wetlands in Florida involves navigating complex environmental regulations, including local permitting, state water management guidelines, and federal oversight from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
YBC's team brought decades of expertise in environmental compliance to the table. We worked closely with regulatory agencies and the project stakeholders to:
- Provide all necessary documentation to secure permits
- Assist with site impact assessments
- Implement erosion control and mitigation strategies
- Assist with documentation for submission that adhere to all stormwater management plans
Because we specialize in ecologically sensitive bridge design, YBC made it possible for the project to move forward without delays--protecting the community's investment and honoring the land it calls home.
Supporting A Lifestyle of Leisure & Connection
The bridge at Bear Creek isn't just about getting from one side to the other--it's part of the daily rhythm of life in the community. Residents cross it en route to social gatherings, fitness classes, nature walks, and amenities like swimming pools, tennis courts, and clubhouses.
YBC's design reinforces that lifestyle by ensuring:
- A quiet, smooth ride with vibration-dampening materials
- Ample lane width for residential traffic and service access
- Aesthetically integrated features that blend with Bear Creek's resort aesthetic
It's a bridge designed not only for cars but for community.
Why Timber Was the Right Material Choice
Timber, when responsibly sourced and engineered correctly, offers significant benefits over other material alternatives--particularly in residential developments like Bear Creek.
Environmental Benefits
- Low embodied carbon compared to other materials
- Renewable resource from managed forests
- Sequesters carbon during its useful life span
- 486 t CO2 eq of carbon captured
Functional Benefits
- High strength-to-weight ratio allows for longer spans with less material
- Naturally insulative, reducing expansion/contraction issues in heat.
- Efficient installation with minimal equipment, especially in remote or protected areas
Aesthetic Benefits
- Warm, natural appearance that complements landscape and architecture
- Can be stained and detailed for high-end finishes
- Offers a "sense of place" that reinforces the identity of resort-style communities
In a place like Bear Creek--where nature, aesthetics, and tranquility are prized--timber was the clear choice.
A Lasting Legacy at Bear Creek
As Bear Creek continues to grow and welcome new residents, the bridge built by York Bridge Concepts will stand as a lasting symbol of thoughtful design, environmental respect, and engineering excellence. It's a structure that does more than serve--it enhances. It protects. It inspires.
With over four decades of experience designing and building bridges across North America and internationally, YBC remains committed to delivering solutions that meet the unique challenges of every site--especially those that require balancing infrastructure with environmental care.
The Bear Creek residential vehicular bridge is a shining example of that commitment.
Ready To Build For your Community?
Whether you're developing a private resort community, managing a protected natural site, or simply looking for a better way to build bridges--YBC is ready to partner with you.
Let us show you how our Design-Engineer-Build model and Deck-Level™ Construction can bring your vision to life while preserving the land it lives on.
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