My house is on 7.5 acres that are bisected by a stream(about 35 ft wide in most spots). I am looking for advice on making a suspension bridge to span this stream, which otherwise is only really crossable in July,August,and September. I've lived here two years and probably have only crossed it a dozen times-putting chest waders on gets old fast. I'm not sure how to go about this.

-- Matt (madbrookie@yahoo.com), September 20, 2001

Answers

A very helpful site for your construction needs might one on Peace Corps type construction projects.

Type in www.vita.org, (Volunteers in Technical Assistance), go to the library and select "construction". Type in "foot bridges" and will direct you to some hopefully good information. Hope this helps; this site has TONS of stuff for people having to do with what they have.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), September 20, 2001.

I made mine out of some old load racks a local factory was getting rid of. It is 64 ft. long and 3 ft wide with 3 ft hand rails. I stretched a cable under it for added strength and safety. I put a Red Elm floor in it. I have been using it for 18 years and even accidently fell a tree on it and it was OK with some minor repairs.. I have a total of $184 in it. Well a little more I have painted it twice. Check your local salvage yards you never know what some people throw away.

-- Mel Kelly (melkelly@webtv.net), September 20, 2001.

check out an army manual,,,, basic bridges,, Ill check to see if I can find the FM number

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), September 20, 2001.

a 40 to 45 foot flatbed semitrailer makes a great bridge and you can drive almost anything over them.all you need is a sound base on both sides i.e.concrete pilings.truckers haul 40k to 60k on them every day.they go for a song as truckers want trailers 48 to 52 feet long.

-- larry spearman (lspearma@exotrope.net), September 20, 2001.