Theo, thank you for the comments about our bridge. Here are two things we have done.

The first is a bridge to an island. We used 6" X 22" laminated beams to clear span 55'. They're sitting on poured concrete pilings on each end. The bridge is 8' wide and totals 75' long. We used 10'X 4"X4"s to go 7' up. We used typical roofing techniques to put a flat steel roof over over half of the bridge. This way people could sit in the sun or shade.

We made a second dock that is 10' wide and 32' long. This dock does not go out into the lake but is along the shore. That means we can step on the dock from anywhere along its 32' length, walk 10' and then fish. We used green treated laminated beams that were made of 4 2"X6"s. These were driven into the ground by an excavator. We then used 3"X12" bridge planking for the frame. This dock is totally covered with flat steel roofing.

Much of the fishing here is done by people in wheel chairs. Vans with the people in wheel chairs can drive right up to either place and begin fishing.

I used red bike holders attached to the framework holding up the roof. These hold all of the rods and reels. This works so well that I'm able to leave all of this equipment out all winter.

None of this fancy. I use these materials because they are locally available as used or seconds. Hopefully, this will give you some ideas.

Norm Kopecky