How to Build a Drainage Ditch Bridge

Have a drainage ditch that runs through your yard? Tired of jumping over it and need access on that side of the yard? Building a simple ditch bridge can be easy to accomplish and will last many, many years.

Steps

Download Article

Try to find a spot where the two sides are closely even, level, and "clean". Also make the sure spot is less than 6 feet (1.8 m) across. If more than 6 feet (1.8 m), this bridge may not be for you.
A 3 foot (0.9 m) bridge is good for a walking bridge, but a 4 foot (1.2 m) bridge is wide enough for most mowers. Measure 1 foot (0.3 m) behind the ditch and mark the spot in 4 corners, measuring that all 4 points meet up with each other.
Advertisement
Cut your 4x6x12 in half to give you two 6 foot (1.8 m) pieces. Purchase approximately 8-10 treated 2x4's, and deck screws. Have your level handy, and your post hole digger or shovel ready as well.
You will then lay your 4x6's in the holes across the ditch. Try to dig at least 8–12 inches (20.3–30.5 cm) in the ground so that the posts are deep enough to be covered up with dirt. This part can be tricky, as the posts need to be level with each other, and the ground itself. They also need to be even. Measure across, sideways, and add dirt or dig more to get yourself to where you are exactly even, level, and secure.
Then lay them across the posts one at a time. Separate them about a pinkies length apart to allow for rain to drain through it. Screw two deck screws on each side, and continue laying boards all the way across. Make sure you are even, level, and the boards are staying put. You may need to remove weeds, dig into the ground to place the first and last board if it cuts into the ground, doing away with large gaps from the ground to the bridge.
Level the ground with your feet or shovel before and after the bridge on each side and get a good flat entrance and exit.
Walk over it, paint it, seal it, do whatever you want to with it. This bridge will last many years and should be very strong.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question
Why not a heavy metal slab that sufficiently covers the expanse, plus some?
Community Answer
Very slippery when wet, and sliding off into the ditch would be bad. If it's diamond plate covered or has 6-inch high sides, then maybe. But you'd really want it drilled or slotted to drain readily, except then it's severely weakened.
Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If How.com.vn has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support How.com.vn
Yes No
Not Helpful 0 Helpful 1

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

You may add an additional post in the middle to strengthen the boards even more, especially if you want to drive over it. You can also add steel to it to take the bridge to the next level of strong.
Thanks
Helpful0 Not Helpful0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

CCA treated wood contains arsenic, wear a gas mask while drilling or cutting and handle with gloves. You may choose to use copper azole treated wood instead because it is less toxic. CCA wood is greenish.
Thanks
Helpful2 Not Helpful0
The bridge will be very slick in the wintertime. It will freeze easily.
Thanks
Helpful1 Not Helpful0