Tim Kris, the founder and CEO of Bridge Builders™, Franklin (NC), built the company’s first trestle type timber bridge in 1978. It was 130 feet long and 30 feet high. The bridge spanned an environmentally sensitive ravine and is still in use today — durable, economical, and beautiful. This is simply one example of why timber bridges are enjoying a renaissance through applications developed by Bridge Builders.

Bridge Builders’ portfolio has grown considerably since 1978 with over 1,000 projects nationwide, including hundreds of feet of timber bridge on the island of Guam. For over 25 years, the company has been committed to developing various construction methods to preserve the wetlands and environmentally sensitive properties in areas where the company executes its projects. Kris pioneered the concept of top down construction of light duty timber bridges as one of the key ways of ensuring minimal impact on the land.

Recently completed projects include:
• The Serengeti Development, Pasco County (FL): two (2) 26-foot HS-20 vehicular timber bridges for Metro Development in Tampa (FL).
• Boot Ranch, Fredricksburg (TX): a 200-foot HS-20 vehicular timber bridge.
• River Camp Phase 1, Panama City (FL): multiple HS-20 vehicular timber bridges of varying widths for St. Joe Land Company in Panama City Beach.
• Suwanee Creek Park, Suwanee (GA): a 26-foot HS-20 vehicular timber bridge, for the City of Suwanee/Valley Crest Landscaping.
• Indianapolis Motor Speedway Pedestrian Bridge, Indianapolis (IN): 16x75-foot speedway entrance.
• Pinnacle Falls, Henderson County (NC): 20x60-foot HS20-44 vehicular timber bridge for Renaissance Communities, Columbia (SC).
• Robinson Preserve, Bradenton (FL): three 16x45-foot HS20-44 vehicular timber bridges for Bul-Hed Corporation.
• Rock Manor Country Club, Wilmington (DE): 10,000 GVW 12x40-foot clear span timber bridge for Wadsworth Golf Construction Company.
• Brightwater Club, Gypsum (CO): 20,000 GVW 12x40 foot L/F emergency access timber bridge for Clearwater Development.

According to Greg Solomon, General Manager at Bridge Builders, the company recently completed construction on the longest HS-25 vehicular timber bridge in the country at the Nature Walk project part of Seagrove, a master planned community, in Santa Rose Beach (FL). Trellis covered and pedestrian friendly, the Nature Walk Bridge spans 780 feet of wetlands, bolstering the Bridge Builders’ reputation as an environmentally conscientious bridge contractor.

Under Solomon, construction began on this timber bridge last year, and the project was then expanded. There is minimal impact on the existing wetlands at the site, and no wetlands will be filled. Better yet, the loading used for this bridge is fully capable of supporting any highway loading that would be encountered in normal traffic, which includes construction equipment, large fire trucks, loaded concrete trucks and service equipment.

Bridge Builders keeps seeking new challenges and opportunities. Newly won projects include:
• Lagrange Landing, Freeport (FL): a 62-foot HS-20 vehicular timber bridge.
• Osprey Creek, Santa Rosa Beach (FL): Four 24-foot wide HS-20 vehicular timber bridges.
• Ibis Lake Development, Panama City Beach (FL): 34x65-foot HS20-44 vehicular timber bridge with pedestrian walkway for Jim Parker Building Company, Inc.
• Antiquity, Cornelius (NC): 30x100-foot HS20-44 vehicular timber bridge for Venture Properties, III, LLC.
• Sanctuary Creek, Palm City (FL): five 32-foot clear span HS-20 vehicular timber bridges for Kolter Signature Homes, Inc.
• Nature Walk at Seagrove—Phase III, Santa Rosa Beach (FL): 26x205-foot HS20-44 vehicular bridge for Olson & Associates of NW Florida, Inc.
• The Briar Rose Club, White Plains (GA): six 20-foot HS20-44 bridges of various lengths for The Briar Rose Land Company, Inc.

Bridge Builders, with Kris at the helm, has led the resurgence of timber vehicular bridges. The company has also championed technological advances in lamination, such as glulam to increase the suitability and performance of wood for modern vehicular bridge applications.

“Wood is naturally renewable, and treatment options are plentiful,” points out Kris.

Since its inception, the company has used and advocated the use of various treatments which prolong the service life of wood such as ACQ Preserve®, Nature Wood®, and Wolmanized® Natural Select™ Wood — all EPA approved. Timber offers creative expression in addition to its functionality and cost effectiveness. The art of timber bridge construction marries the use of timber, technology and aesthetics to a first line environmentally friendly construction material choice. Bridge Builders has been in the vanguard for a greater use of timber for bridges in applications, which demand greater load-testing capability, width, length and beauty.

Bridge Builders is the premiere U.S. timber bridge contractor, providing innovative and environmentally conscious construction of custom timber vehicular bridges, public access boardwalk complexes, and light duty bridges for public trails and golf courses. SLDT