Buried Bridge Benefits

When comparing structure options, it is important to look at the total project cost — not just the structure-only cost. Everything involved with completing a project should be considered.

• Steel structure foundation costs can be 40-50% less than that of concrete structures
• Many cities and counties can build with their own crews and equipment
• No need for large cranes
• Many can be assembled in just a few days
• Cheaper and easier to transport to remote areas than other bridge options
• No maintenance over the life of the structure

• Many thousands of installations worldwide

• Much lighter structures than traditional or precast bridges

• Depending on the project and structure type, the components can be delivered within days or weeks of placing the order

• Construction of Buried Bridges is also typically faster than traditional bridges or concrete structures

• Better than traditional bridges when heavy vehicle loads are a factor

Buried Bridges are an ideal ABC choice due to their speed of design, supply and installation.

• In most cases, they are essentially designed by the time the project is awarded

• Approval drawings can be provided quickly

• Depending on the project and structure type, the components can be delivered within days or weeks of placing the order

• Construction of Buried Bridges is also typically faster than traditional bridges or concrete structures

The performance of Buried Bridges is unmatched in less-than-ideal foundation conditions.

• Settlement tolerance is much higher than that of traditional bridges and concrete structures
• Little differential movement, settlement or frost heave between the Buried Bridge and adjacent approach fills
• In most cases, designing Buried Bridge foundations based on their ability to handle settlement will allow for a much higher bearing pressure, resulting in the elimination of deep foundations or other foundation costs savings

Buried Bridges are dependent upon strong backfill materials and carry their loads through soil-structure interaction — meaning the bridge structure and the backfill soils act together to support the loads.

• In some locations, those materials are readily available on or near the site at a low cost
• In other areas, that’s not the case. Because of the way Buried Bridges are designed, less-than-ideal backfill materials (including on-site materials) can often be considered
• This can result in significant cost savings

Buried Bridges are sometimes called “culvert bridges” but Buried Bridges offer many more benefits than standard culverts.

• Thicker steel and larger corrugation profiles with much higher design strength
• Much larger spans, more applicable for bridge applications
• Handle much larger hydraulic flows
• Galvanizing weight is 50% more, adding to service life

• Usually no invert, resulting in a longer service life
• Minimal impact on streambeds and habitat
• Wide-span designs offer excellent open-flow hydraulics and fish passage properties
• No sandblasting or painting through life cycle

• Less energy used in production and shipping of steel than concrete
• Steel is the world’s most recycled material
• Steel used in Buried Bridges contains 70-90% recycled content and is 100% recyclable into other steel products
• Concrete bridges can’t be recycled into more concrete bridges
• Zinc used in galvanizing is a naturally occurring material and is 100% recyclable
• Buried Bridges will not leach harmful chemicals or compounds into the water or ground, which is often a concern with concrete structures

• Various structures, shapes and sizes, beveled or skewed ends
• The more distance there is between the bottom of a structure and the road elevation above, the more cost-effective a Buried Bridge can be
• As an example, a 10′ wide stream with sloped embankments passing 20′ below the proposed road elevation might require a traditional bridge with a span of 100′ or more
• Alternatively, a 40′ span Buried Bridge could likely achieve the site and hydraulic objectives with significant time and cost savings

• No need to change pavement section or roadway maintenance across structure
• No freeze/thaw differential with roadway approaches
• No bridge deck, expansion joints, bearings or approaches to maintain
• No sandblasting or painting to impact habitat
• Wider, safer roadway (no need to narrow at crossing)
• Fewer debris jams with wider, open-flow designs
• Lower life cycle costs
• Structures can last over 75 years with Polymer Coating

Today’s Buried Bridges offer a variety of attractive headwall solutions in Vegetated Greenwalls, Cobblestone-Faced Wire Walls, Precast Panel or Cast-in-Place Concrete, Architectural Block, Masonry or Natural Stone. See the full range of our end treatments for a wide variety of applications in our Urbanscape Solutions Brochure or Video.