The bridge that crosses our creek, and is part of the private road that gives access to the seven properties in our valley, occasionally needs repair.
The planks that form the decking tend to rot out over time and need replacing.
First the rotting planks need to be removed. They are attached by long spikes.
One of the residents normally uses the front end loader on a tractor to lift them one at a time and place them aside.
The good parts of these planks make excellent seasoned firewood.
A new plank is then lifted into place and the necessary holes drilled.
Then new galvanised bridge spikes are driven through the planks and into the bearers.
And so the process moves across the bridge.
Native Australian hardwood timber species such as Spotted Gum, Ironbark and Blackbutt and other class 1 and 2 timber species of native Australian hardwood timber conform to all the requirements of Australian standards for bridge construction.
All done.