Side Girder

Side girder bridges are supported by two longitudinal girders (beams). The deck is hung on the interior side of the girders either on floor beams or ledger beams attached to the main girders. Deck planks will be transverse when ledgers are used or longitudinal when floor beams are used. Larger bridges may use longitudinal stringers on top of the floor beam. The girders usually function as all, or part of the handrail system. Decks are usually timber (sawn plank or glued laminated), but may be concrete or steel.

Glued-Laminated (Glulam) Timber

Typical span 60 to 120 feet

Additional Pictures:

Steel

Typical span 60 to 120 feet

Many abandoned railroad bridges of this type have been converted to trail bridges.