Simple Garden Bridge

van

10 years ago

THIS STRAIGHTFORWARD BRIDGE SERVES AS A FOCAL POINT IN THE LANDSCAPE. IT IS LOCATED AT THE FAR END OF THE GARDEN AND FUNCTIONS AS THE BEGINNING OF A DRY RIVER BED THAT CROSSES THE BACK YARD.

The space underneath can be retrofitted later on, to accommodate a water source which can transform the dry bed into a flowing stream.

This easy weekend project has a price tag of about $75.00, with all of its parts available at your local superstore.

Top

A frame of two 6ft and two 4ft pressure treated lumber forms the base of the bridge. The two long boards are notched at both ends and the two short boards are fitted in between and fastened with a few screws.

The frame is squared by measuring diagonally from corner to corner. When both are equal, the frame is square and a temporary brace is attached.

The 2” x 4” lumber that will function as the bridge surface, is placed on the ground with the frame on top of it. Each individual member is attached with a screw; two small spacer blocks keeps the space between each of them at a constant distance. Turn the framework back facing upwards and attach the two side boards.

Bottom

Now move your tools and building materials to the chosen location and start digging a hole.

The surface will be laid on four 4” x 4” pillars, each two connected with three 2”x 4”s. The 4” x 4”s are notched at the top, to receive the surface of the bridge. Connect three 2” x 4”s starting at the notch. Use a temporary brace, further down.

Tie a string between two stakes and level it to the height of the notch. Dig the holes and install the rear support. Continue with the front two pillars; level them from the back and secure with three 2” x 4”s on each side. When installing the front two pillars, make sure the distance is equal to the width of the top frame.