driveway bridge

[rebobinar]

Hi all. I am building on a lot with some wetlands (not terribly wet, but there nonetheless) and my architect suggested making the driveway into a little bridge rather than just smacking a pipe underneath it. The house won't sit on the wetlands, but the driveway will cross them, go up a slight incline then turn to the left into the house.

Do you all have any thoughts on this plan? Do you think it is a much larger expense? Have you ever seen something like this done?

Thanks, Robin

[Rich]

I think it will be a larger expense... the problem with putting the bridge in will be that many times wetlands end up moving this way or that way depending on surface and ground water conditions throughout the year. The problem with just putting a pipe under it is that you'll have quite a bit of expense to make the road driveable during certain portions of the year - I see a foot or more of riprap backfill to make it sound. Then get a bad rain and who knows what will happen to the road - will it sink? I have no idea on that.

[VALENT]

I have seen quite a few of both applications. If you do build the bridge you will have a lot of aesthetics added to the project as well as not have much to worry about as far as disrupting drainage etc. The cost can be high but for normal vehicle traffic, it does not have to be prohibitive. Take advantage of the situation and add a bridge (if the cost isnt too much) and your visitors will be envious.

[el tigre]

I have this dream of building a covered bridge when entering our property with a locked gate in the center. I can picture it, now I just need to conjure up the money...

[maarass]

We had to cut our driveway through some really wet soil. Natural streambed and slope of land caused this. Excavator cut it in and dug out low spots, layed down geofabric and threw down 12" of R4 riprap, 18" in some places, then covered that with some cr-6. That'll be smashed down after all the big trucks are done and we'll be putting down 6" of top coat.