My very first wood working project was to build a bridge that spanned a creek behind my house. The creek was four feet wide and three feet deep. It literarily divided my property in half. So I will show how to build an actual bridge, however you can apply the basics of bridge building to make bridges for Events and Shows.
Since I needed to go over the bridge with my lawn mover it had to be 36 inches wide and be able to support at least 500 pounds which was the total weight of the four of us and then some. I had dropped boulders in the creek as heavy as I could move them. This created rapids whenever the creek flowed for several hours after rains. This was very pretty to watch and listen to, sitting on the bridge.
I built the bridge on a flat surface and then moved it into place.
You will need: For Events Bridge substitute with
2 Pressure Treated 4X4 8 feet long 2X4
6 Pressure Treated 2X4 8 feet long 2 pieces 2X2 and 4 pieces 2X4
8 Pressure Treated 1X2 8 feet long 4 pieces 1X2
18 Decking planks 6X1 12 feet long 1 sheet (4X8) ply wood ¾ inch or ½ inch
2 inch decking screws
12 4 inch wood bolts 12 2 inch wood bolts
Depending on how wide you need to make your bridge lay the 4X4 parallel to each other. This becomes the beams. For the Events bridge lay two 2X4 down with the 2 inch side on the floor. Cap the two ends with 2X4 cut 36 inches wide so that it goes over the ends of the 4X4. You will now have a rectangle about 8 feet and three inches long.
Now measure 3 inches towards the center of the bridge and attach 38 inch high 2X4 from outside using two 4 inch bolts. Be sure the bottom of this vertical 2X4 is flush with the floor. When done you should have four end ballasts installed. Then measure two feet from the ends of the ballasts and install 4 feet 2X4. This will now give you the frame work of the bridge.
Next step is to install the support for the decking. If you want to make a straight across bridge, then you can at this time install the decking. If you do, then be sure to add a center support of a 2X4. You can do this by simply laying an eight foot 2X4 in the center of the beams and attach it by the wood bolts. Two bolts on either side. For the events bridge if you do a straight through then you may want to make your ballasts and the center supports extend 6 to 8 inches to the bottom so it raises the whole bridge up and gives it the ambiance of a bridge.
I made mine functional, so the deck was raised to allow the over flowing creek to pass under so that it did not float my bridge away. To do that, I installed a frame work of 2X4 along the inside of the ballasts and center pillars. The center portion of the deck between the two inner support pillars should be just high enough so that when entering the bridge the incline is not more than 30 degrees. These 2X4 are your rafters for the deck. You will need to install a center support or rafter as in straight through bridge. For this a cross member will need to be installed attaching two opposite support pillars to which the center rafter will be attached.
Once you are done with the deck, attach the railings using the 1X2s. For your functional bridge make four up and for the Events show bridge make three up.
That’s all there is to making a Bridge. A couple of coats of primer and a coat of paint will give it elegance and it will last long. For the plywood decking be sure to seal the side especially as it is easily damaged by moisture.
I love the bridge so much that I replicated it when I moved and used it as a landscaping center piece. Good luck.
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