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Bridges?

18K views 129 replies 18 participants last post by  Tscarborough 
#1 · (Edited)
I've been asked to give a price on building a small bridge out of stone across a creek, maybe 10' across. I haven't gone to look yet but I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with bridge building (I don't) and has any tips about things particular to bridges to be looking for at the site. I'll be looking for signs, and asking questions about high water levels, and asking about styles wanted etc.. I guess just wondering if there's anything bridge specific as opposed to any old arch that needs to be thought about

Oh, one thing i've wondered is what are common/popular walkway materials? Obviously wood, what about concrete? i don't think asphalt, maybe flagstone or cobbles (wet set callade stonecutter) If wood, what would be the best way to attach it?and I guess it would want to be raised so that water could get away.
 
#4 · (Edited)
If I remember correctly, I think CJ attended a stone symposium or something that had to do with a drystone bridge... Maybe he was volunteering...can't quite remember.

He should be checking in soon I'm sure to help.

Sounds like a cool project - one I'd like to take on :thumbsup:
 
#11 ·
superseal said:
If I remember correctly, I think CJ attended a stone symposium or something that had to do with a drystone bridge... Maybe he was volunteering...can't quite remember.

He should be checking in soon I'm sure to help.

Sounds like a cool project - one I'd like to take on :thumbsup:
As a matter of fact they're doing a 28' double arch this year less than a month away. Come on up to Quebec for Canada's long Thanksgiving weekend.
I'll get you the link.
 
#14 ·
Ha. Just had my first real conversation with this guy. First time I talked to him was on cellphone with and I had really bad reception so the conversation was brief. Anyway, talked to him on a landline today. He wants a REAL deal bridge. One he can drive dump trucks across. He's wondering if he'll need permits or engineered drawings. Umm yup! Oh and this guy's an engineer himself but is not liking the idea of stamped drawings WTF!

Anyway, not interested in doing anything until spring and the group that has authority of what happens with the river and it's tribituaries will have A LOT to say about this one. I'm not going to hold my breath. It's too bad, i was getting kind of excited about it
 
#16 ·
That's neat. One of the bridges was built at the college I attended (Algonquin college in Perth). When i attended there wasn't as much of a focus on drywalling. The real focus was on carving since that was my 2nd year professors expertise (besides drinking lol). The next professors real passion was drywalling so the focus shifted a bit. While I was there a student did make a stone bridge (just an arch really) but it was only a couple feet across and he wouldn't let anyone walk on it.

Anyway, looked at the site today. I'm mildly more optimistic about something happening. The guy has built a road up to the creek and if he wants to build he will have to build a bridge of some description. I'm thinking now that a concrete bridge faced in stone may be more likely (I don't think you can do new structural construction using stone). I'm going to be doing a bit of work for a guy who owns one of the largest heavy equipment and road building companies in the city. I've done some work at his cottage and he's all about little projects like this if they're interesting. I'll be bouncing some ideas off him anyway.
 
#17 ·
dom-mas said:
That's neat. One of the bridges was built at the college I attended (Algonquin college in Perth). When i attended there wasn't as much of a focus on drywalling. The real focus was on carving since that was my 2nd year professors expertise (besides drinking lol). The next professors real passion was drywalling so the focus shifted a bit. While I was there a student did make a stone bridge (just an arch really) but it was only a couple feet across and he wouldn't let anyone walk on it.

Anyway, looked at the site today. I'm mildly more optimistic about something happening. The guy has built a road up to the creek and if he wants to build he will have to build a bridge of some description. I'm thinking now that a concrete bridge faced in stone may be more likely (I don't think you can do new structural construction using stone). I'm going to be doing a bit of work for a guy who owns one of the largest heavy equipment and road building companies in the city. I've done some work at his cottage and he's all about little projects like this if they're interesting. I'll be bouncing some ideas off him anyway.

A good friend of mine is an instructor at Algonquin.
John Scott, he'll probably be at the Quebec bridge build.
 
#19 ·
I suggest you give your insurance broker a call and run this job by them. Work on bridges, even small ones, is a restricted class for many insurers. Other insurers may want to surcharge. You indicated that this one will be large enough to carry a truck.

Also, you mention a conservation authority with respect to local waterways, so it is likely that they will have specific insurance requirements with respect to pollution liability.

Your broker may tell you that you are good to go with whatever insurance you already have, but seeing as you wrote that you haven't done bridge work in the past, I am assuming that you will likely require some adjustments to your current insurance program.

P.S. - You mention a road builder friend. He likely already has coverage for structural bridge and overpass/underpass work. Perhaps you could sub out the structural work to him and just keep the facade work for yourself. Your insurer will have less of a panic attack if you present the job to them this way.

I'm really hoping you get this project and that you will post photos. I don't mind waiting; even till spring. :)
 
#20 ·
Hmmm, I didn't realise that about insurance companies not always covering bridge work. I am thinking that using the heavy equipment contractor as the GC and subbing to him will probably be the way to go. This is a little above my comfort zone. I have every confidence that I could build something that could accomodate and support a dump truck but the logistics and the time frame not to mention the concrete work that I don't do, would make me want to let someone with more experience take the lead. If it were a simple pedestrian bridge it would be a different story
 
#21 ·
One more thing:

Because there is a huge design risk with regards to bridges; I would suggest that you don't take this on as a design-build project (even though you would be farming the design out to an engineer). There is a contingent E&O liability exposure for contractors who choose the engineer, as opposed to the owner choosing the engineer.

You mention the owner is an engineer himself, but it was unclear if he would or would not do the design work. This might be a case of him not wanting the professional E&O liability on his shoulders. I respectfully suggest that if he tries to pass the buck and tells you to hire an engineer, that you decline. Otherwise, you should get an E&O policy. The cost will be way lower than if you had your own engineer on staff who did the design; and of course the engineer will have his own insurance which would respond as primary. But since you are in essence the GC over an engineering sub-contractor now, you do have some secondary vicarious liability. I normally would never bring this up with any other type of construction work; but because this is bridge work (plus it's a bridge large enough to carry vehicle traffic), you should consider the increased liability risk with respect to the structural design, and take measures to protect yourself and your business.

Just my 2 cents. Your broker will be best able to advise you.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Well a couple pretty big steps seem to have been crossed in this project. Drawings have been made and an engineer has stamped them. The river conservation society has been made aware of the project and so has the municipality, they both wanted an engineers stamp so it seems that it may be a go. Now for little things like coming up with a price. I'll be meeting with the client in the following month, haven't even met him yet, just e-mails and phone calls.

My fingers are crossed

Oh and if Astrix is reading, I found the engineer (I did the stone on his house a while ago) but the property owner contacted him and paid him directly so I have no real involvement. It's interesting because the engineer and property owner know/knew each other. They both may have worked together at a firm or the engineer may have employed the property owner at one point, It wasn't exactly clear.
 
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