Wildlife bridge and method for using same

Abstract

A wildlife bridge structure which allows wildlife to pass underneath and a vehicle to pass overtop includes a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements each including a layer of compacted material; and a bridge deck portion positioned over and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements, the bridge deck portion including: a first fill layer; a first gabion structure layer including a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first fill layer; a second gabion structure layer including a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first gabion structure layer; a fabric layer positioned over the second gabion structure layer; a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; and an interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.

Description

Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219DUCK BRIDGE AND METHOD FOR USING SAMECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application Number 63 / 778,173, filed March 26, 2025, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a wildlife, or duck, bridge structure that can be used in wetlands or other wildlife-containing areas to provide a suitable passage way for small wildlife such as waterfowl or other animals to pass under a bridge structure so as to have a safe passage for both the wildlife and vehicle, including heavy vehicle, traffic.Description of the Related Art

[0003] Various lake, wetland, and / or coastal areas have a wide range of wildlife including, but not limited to, various types of waterfowl, waterfowl babies, crabs, turtles, tortoises, etc. that require a safe passage way to and from dry and / or low water areas to lakes, bays, and / or ocean areas. Current practice is to build some type of temporary access roads from aggregate and / or compacted sand and / or soil. As such, there is a need in the art for a wildlife bridge (as referred to as a “duck bridge”) that permits the safe passage of wildlife thereunder while providing for a stable and secure roadway thereover for vehicle traffic.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present disclosure relates to a wildlife, or duck, bridge structure that can be used in wetlands or other wildlife-containing areas to provide a suitable passage way for small wildlife such as waterfowl or other animals to pass under a bridge structure so as to have a safe passage for both the wildlife and vehicle, including heavy vehicle, traffic.

[0005] In one non-limiting aspects of the present disclosure, a wildlife bridge structure which allows wildlife to pass underneath and a vehicle to pass overtop includes: a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements each comprising a layer of compacted material; and a bridge deck portion positioned over and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements, the bridge deck portion comprising: a first fill layer; a first gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first fill layer; a second gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first gabion structure layer; a fabric layer6BZ2890.DOCX 1Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219positioned over the second gabion structure layer; a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; and an interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.

[0006] Each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements may be at least 2 feet tall. The wildlife bridge structure may further include a plurality of perforated drainage pipes positioned between the plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer. The layer of compacted material may include compacted gravel. The interlocking road mat layer may include a textured surface to provide anti-skid properties. The interlocking road mat layer may include a plurality of interlocked road mats that comprise a polymeric material or wood. The first fill layer and second fill layer may have a thickness of at least 1 foot. The first gabion structure layer and the second gabion structure layer may have a thickness of at least 1 foot. The fabric layer may include a geotextile fabric that is liquid permeable. Each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements may further include a layer of oversized material positioned over the layer of compacted material. The layer of oversized material may have a thickness that decreases away from the wildlife bridge structure.

[0007] In another non-limiting aspect of the present disclosure, a method of providing a bridge in an area which allows wildlife to pass underneath and vehicle to pass overtop, includes the steps of: forming a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements, each including a layer of compacted material, on either side of the area; and positioning a bridge deck portion on the set of parallel trench drain foundation element, where the bridge deck portion includes: a first fill layer; a first gabion structure layer including a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures positioned over the first fill layer; a second gabion structure layer including a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures positioned over the first gabion structure layer; a fabric layer positioned over the second gabion structure layer; a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; and an interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.

[0008] The method may further include clearing loose soil from the area prior to the forming step. The method may further include grading the area prior to the forming step. The method may further include spreading diatomaceous earth over the area prior to the forming step. Each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements may be at least 2 feet tall. The first gabion structure layer and the second gabion structure layer may have a thickness of at least 1 foot. The deck bridge portion may further include a plurality of perforated drainage pipes positioned between the plurality of adjacently6BZ2890.DOCX 2Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219positioned gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer. The interlocking road mat layer may include a textured surface to provide anti-skid properties. The method may further include positioning a layer of oversized material on the layer of compacted material of each trench drain foundation elements.

[0009] Various non-limiting examples of the present disclosure will now be described and set forth in the following numbered clauses.

[0010] Clause 1: A wildlife bridge structure which allows wildlife to pass underneath and a vehicle to pass overtop, comprising: a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements each comprising a layer of compacted material; and a bridge deck portion positioned over and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements, the bridge deck portion comprising: a first fill layer; a first gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first fill layer; a second gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first gabion structure layer; a fabric layer positioned over the second gabion structure layer; a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; and an interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.

[0011] Clause 2: The wildlife bridge structure of clause 1, wherein each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements is at least 2 feet tall.

[0012] Clause 3: The wildlife bridge structure of clause 1 or 2, further comprising a plurality of perforated drainage pipes positioned between the plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer.

[0013] Clause 4: The wildlife bridge structure of any one of clauses 1-3, wherein the layer of compacted material comprises compacted gravel.

[0014] Clause 5: The wildlife bridge structure of any one of clauses 1-4, wherein the interlocking road mat layer comprises a textured surface to provide anti- skid properties.

[0015] Clause 6: The wildlife bridge structure of any one of clauses 1-5, wherein the interlocking road mat layer comprises a plurality of interlocked road mats that comprise a polymeric material or wood.

[0016] Clause 7: The wildlife bridge structure of any one of clauses 1-6, wherein the first fill layer and second fill layer have a thickness of at least 1 foot.

[0017] Clause 8: The wildlife bridge structure of any one of clauses 1-7, wherein the first gabion structure layer and the second gabion structure layer have a thickness of at least 1 foot.6BZ2890.DOCX 3Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219

[0018] Clause 9: The wildlife bridge structure of any one of clauses 1-8, wherein the fabric layer comprises a geotextile fabric that is liquid permeable.

[0019] Clause 10: The wildlife bridge structure of any one clauses 1-9, wherein each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements further comprises a layer of oversized material positioned over the layer of compacted material.

[0020] Clause 11: The wildlife bridge structure of clause 10, wherein the layer of oversized material has a thickness that decreases away from the wildlife bridge structure.

[0021] Clause 12: A method of providing a bridge in an area which allows wildlife to pass underneath and vehicle to pass overtop, comprising the steps of: forming a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements, each comprising a layer of compacted material, on either side of the area; and positioning a bridge deck portion on the set of parallel trench drain foundation element, wherein the bridge deck portion comprises: a first fill layer; a first gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures positioned over the first fill layer; a second gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures positioned over the first gabion structure layer; a fabric layer positioned over the second gabion structure layer; a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; and an interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.

[0022] Clause 13: The method of clause 12, further comprising clearing loose soil from the area prior to the forming step.

[0023] Clause 14: The method of clause 12 or 13, further comprising grading the area prior to the forming step.

[0024] Clause 15: The method of any one of clauses 12-14, further comprising spreading diatomaceous earth over the area prior to the forming step.

[0025] Clause 16: The method of any one of clauses 12-15, wherein each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements is at least 2 feet tall.

[0026] Clause 17: The method of any one of clauses 12-16, wherein the first gabion structure layer and the second gabion structure layer have a thickness of at least 1 foot.

[0027] Clause 18: The method of any one of clauses 12-17, wherein the deck bridge portion further comprises a plurality of perforated drainage pipes positioned between the plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer.

[0028] Clause 19: The method of any one of clauses 12-18, wherein the interlocking road mat layer comprises a textured surface to provide anti-skid properties.6BZ2890.DOCX 4Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219

[0029] Clause 20: The method of any one of clauses 12-19, further comprising positioning a layer of oversized material on the layer of compacted material of each trench drain foundation elements.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wildlife bridge structure according to one nonlimiting aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] For purposes of the following detailed description, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Moreover, other than in any operating examples, or where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing, for example, quantities of ingredients used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

[0032] Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard variation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0033] Also, it should be understood that any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. For example, a range of “1 to 10” is intended to include all sub-ranges between (and including) the recited minimum value of 1 and the recited maximum value of 10, that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value of equal to or less than 10.

[0034] In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural and plural encompasses singular, unless specifically stated otherwise, such that “a” and “an” refers to one or more. In addition, in this application, the use of “or” means “and / or” unless specifically stated otherwise, even though “and / or” may be explicitly used in certain instances.6BZ2890.DOCX 5Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219

[0035] The present invention relates to a wildlife, or duck, bridge structure that can be used in wetlands or other wildlife-containing areas to provide a suitable passageway for small wildlife such as waterfowl or other animals to pass under a bridge structure so as to have a safe passage for both the wildlife and vehicle, including heavy vehicle, traffic. The term “duck bridge” has been used to described such bridge structures, however, the wildlife bridges described herein, which also may be referred to as duck bridges, can be provided to let pass any type of wildlife suitable to pass under the wildlife bridge structure. Further, the wildlife bridge may allow for safe passage of wildlife underneath, while also being structurally strong enough to allow various types of vehicles to pass over the wildlife bridge, including heavy vehicles, construction vehicles, and the like.

[0036] In some non-limiting embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a wildlife, or duck, bridge that is formed from a plurality of layers so as to offer a safe and effective wildlife passage way under a raised vehicle platform, which may be referred to as a wildlife bridge structure 10. In some non-limiting embodiments, the present invention relates to a scalable wildlife bridge that can provide up to 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, or even four or more feet of vertical clearance thereunder to permit the passage of various wildlife without requiring same to traverse an access or other type of coastal or wetland road via the vehicle bearing surface. Implementation of the wildlife bridge described herein may allow for the satisfaction of various requirements set forth by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), such as having a clean, well drained, and relatively level job site, increasing safety, promoting morale, and improving overall productivity. Given the above, the present invention is directed to any suitable wildlife, or duck, bridge structure as disclosed and described herein, as well as to a method of making same.

[0037] In some non-limiting embodiments, the wildlife bridge structure 10 may include various layers and / or components as shown in FIG. 1.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1, a wildlife bridge structure 10 may include a set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12. While FIG. 1 only shows one trench drain foundation element 12 of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12 for illustration purposes, it will be appreciated that the wildlife bridge structure 10 can include an identical trench drain foundation element 12 to the trench drain foundation element 12 shown in FIG. 1 that is spaced apart some distance from the trench drain foundation element 12 at the opposite end of the wildlife bridge structure 10. In some non-limiting embodiments, the size of the trench drain foundation elements 12 is unimportant and can be designed to be any suitable size depending6BZ2890.DOCX 6Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219upon one or more of road width, road capacity, water depth to be forded, etc. In some nonlimiting embodiments, the trench drain foundation elements 12 may be at least 1 foot wide, or at least 2 feet wide, or at least 3 feet wide. In some non-limiting embodiments, the trench drain foundation elements 12 may be up to 4 feet wide. In some non-limiting embodiments, the trench drain foundation elements 12 may be at least 6 inches tall, or at least 1 foot tall, or at least 2 feet tall, or at least 3 feet tall. In some non-limiting embodiments, the trench drain foundation elements 12 may be up 4 feet tall. In some non-limiting embodiments, for a typical coastal access roadway the trench drain foundation elements 12 are 2 foot wide by 2 foot tall in size with the length thereof varying depending primarily upon the length of the area to be traversed. In this case, the modifiable 2 foot height of the trench drain foundation elements 12 permits a two foot underpass height for various wildlife to pass under the vehicle surface of the wildlife, or duck, bridge 10.

[0039] In some non-limiting embodiments, the trench drain elements may each comprise a layer 14 of compacted material. The layer 14 of compacted material may fill the trench drain foundation elements 12, or may fill only a portion of the trench drain foundation elements 12. In some non-limiting embodiments, the layer 14 of compacted material may include any suitable material such as concrete, cement, compacted aggregate, compacted gravel, and / or combinations thereof. The material used for the layer 14 may be compacted down by any suitable means to produce the layer 14 of compacted material. The layer 14 of material may include a material that is suitable to bear the weight loads associated with any one or more vehicles intended to cross thereover.

[0040] In some non-limiting embodiments, the trench drain foundation elements 12 may include a layer 16 of oversized material positioned over the layer 14 of compacted material. The material of the layer 16 of oversized material may have a larger average size than the material of the layer 14 of compacted material. The layer 16 of oversized material may include a material of sufficient size to allow water to pass through the layer 16. The layer 16 of oversized material may include a plurality of loose material which is not interconnected. For example, the layer 16 of oversized material may comprise limestone, aggregate, concrete, cement, gravel, combinations thereof, and other similar materials. The layer 16 of oversized material may have any suitable thickness. The layer 16 of oversized material may have a decreasing thickness, such as a decreasing thickness at a 45° slope, away from the bridge deck portion 20 of the wildlife bridge structure 10. Providing the layer 16 with a slope of decreasing thickness away from the bridge deck portion 20 of the wildlife bridge structure 10 may6BZ2890.DOCX 7Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219encourage water to travel away from the bridge deck portion 20 and the layer 14 of compacted material.

[0041] Still referring to FIG. 1, in some non-limiting embodiments, the wildlife bridge structure 10 may include a bridge deck portion 20. Although not shown in FIG. 1 in order to illustrate the trench drain foundation element 12, it is noted that the wildlife bridge structure 10 is positioned overtop the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12. In this regard, the wildlife bridge structure 10 may include a bridge deck portion 20 positioned over the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12, such that the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12 form the weight bearing load elements for the bridge deck portion 20 thereover. In some non-limiting embodiments, each layer of the overlying bridge deck portion 20 is about 1 foot in thickness and has a width and length suitable for a desired vehicle to safely transit a given coastal or wetland area. However, the layers of the bridge deck portion 20 may have any suitable thickness. The bridge deck portion 20 may have a total thickness of at least 4 feet, or at least 5 feet. The bridge deck portion 20 may have a total thickness of up to 4 feet, or up to 5 feet, or up to 6 feet, or up to 8 feet, or up to 10 feet.

[0042] Still referring to FIG. 1, the bridge deck portion 20 may include, as its lowermost layer, a first fill layer 22. The first fill layer 22 may have any suitable thickness. For example, the first fill layer 22 may have a thickness of at least 6 inches, or at least 1 foot, or at least 1.5 feet, or at least 2 feet. The first fill layer 22 may have a thickness of up to 4 feet, or up to 3 feet, or up to 2 feet. The first fill layer 22 may have the same width and length as the rest of the bridge deck portion 20 and be based on the desired use and installation location of the wildlife bridge structure 10. The first fill layer 22 may include various materials, which may be compressed into a layer. Non-limiting examples of materials for the first fill layer 22 include soil, dirt, sand, gravel, concrete, aggregate, and combinations thereof. The first fill layer 22 may be positioned on and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12.

[0043] In some non-limiting embodiments, the bridge deck portion 20 may include a first gabion structure layer 24 comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures. The plurality of gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer 24 can be any gabion structure, or similar structure. For example, the plurality of gabion structures may each separately be a gabion mattress, a gabion box, a gabion basket, gabion sacks, or a reno mattress. The gabions may be welded, double twisted woven or PVC materials. Water may be able to pass through the first gabion structure layer 24. The first gabion structure layer 24 includes a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures, which may be positioned such that they6BZ2890.DOCX 8Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219are in contact with the adjacently positioned gabion structure. The first gabion structure layer 24 may be positioned over the fill layer 22. As used herein, a second layer being “positioned over” another first layer means that said second layer is positioned further away from the trench drain foundation elements 12 compared to the first layer, but is not necessarily in direct contact with the first layer, but can be in direct contact with the first layer. The first gabion structure layer 24 may have any suitable thickness. The first gabion structure layer 24 may have a thickness of at least 6 inches, or at least 1 foot, or at least 2 feet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the first gabion structure layer 24 may have a thickness of up to 4 feet, or up to 3 feet, or up to 2 feet. The first gabion structure layer 24 may have the same width and length as the rest of the bridge deck portion 20 and be based on the desired use and installation location of the wildlife bridge structure 10.

[0044] In some non-limiting embodiments, the first gabion structure layer 24 may include a plurality of perforated drainage pipes 26. Each perforated drainage pipe 26 may be positioned between two of the gabion structures of the plurality of gabion structures. In some non-limiting embodiments, a perforated drainage pipe 26 may be positioned between every other gabion structure, or every second gabion structure, or every third gabion structure, or every fourth gabion structure of the first gabion structure layer 24. The plurality of perforated drainage pipes 26 may receive water that passes through the bridge deck portion 20, and transport the water towards the trench drain foundation elements 12. The plurality of perforated drainage pipes 26 may extend along the entire width of the bridge deck portion 20, or may extend over only a portion of the width of the bridge deck portion. An end of the plurality of perforated drainage pipes 26 may extend further than the end of the bridge deck portion 20, such that the plurality of perforated drainage pipes 26 extend out of the sides of the bridge deck portion 20, thereby allowing water to be transported from the bridge deck portion 20 to the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12.

[0045] In some non-limiting embodiments, the bridge deck portion 20 may include a second gabion structure layer 28 comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures. The plurality of gabion structures of the second gabion structure layer 28 can be any gabion structure, or similar structure. For example, the plurality of gabion structures may each separately be a gabion mattress, a gabion box, a gabion basket, gabion sacks, or a reno mattress. The gabions may be welded, double twisted woven or PVC materials. Water may be able to pass through the second gabion structure layer 28. The second gabion structure layer 28 includes a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures, which may be positioned such6BZ2890.DOCX 9Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219that they are in contact with the adjacently positioned gabion structure. The second gabion structure layer 28 may be positioned over the first gabion structure layer 24. The second gabion structure layer 28 may have any suitable thickness. The second gabion structure layer 28 may have a thickness of at least 6 inches, or at least 1 foot, or at least 1.5 feet, or at least 2 feet. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second gabion structure layer 28 may have a thickness of up to 4 feet, or up to 3 feet, or up to 2 feet. The second gabion structure layer 28 may have the same width and length as the rest of the bridge deck portion 20 and be based on the desired use and installation location of the wildlife bridge structure 10. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second gabion structure layer 28 may include a plurality of perforated pipes 26 positioned between the adjacently positioned gabion structures. In some non-limiting embodiments, the second gabion structure layer 28 does not include any perforated pipes 26.

[0046] In some non-limiting embodiments, the bridge deck portion 20 may include a fabric layer 30. The fabric layer 30 may be positioned over the second gabion structure layer 28. The fabric layer 30 may be thinner than the other layers of the bridge deck portion 20. The fabric layer may have a thickness in the range of from greater than 0 to 1 foot, or greater than 0 to 6 inches, or in the range of from greater than 0 to 4 inches, or in the range of from greater than 0 to 1 inch. The fabric layer 30 may have the same width and length as the rest of the bridge deck portion 20 and be based on the desired use and installation location of the wildlife bridge structure 10. The fabric layer 30 may include a fabric, such as a geotextile fabric. The fabric layer 30 may comprise a composite material, a polymeric material, or a combination thereof. The fabric layer 30 may be permeable to liquids, such as water, thereby allowing liquids to pass to the gabion structure layers 24, 28, but preventing solids from passing through. This allows water to pass through the fabric layer 30, then through the second gabion structure layer 28 and the second gabion structure layer 24, and to the plurality of perforated drainage pipes for transporting to the trench drain foundation elements 12.

[0047] In some non-limiting embodiments, the bridge deck portion 20 may include a second fill layer 32. The second fill layer 32 may be positioned over the second gabion structure layer 28, such as over the fabric layer 30. The second fill layer 32 may have any suitable thickness. For example, the second fill layer 32 may have a thickness of at least 6 inches, or at least 1 foot, or at least 2 feet. The second fill layer 32 may have a thickness of up to 4 feet, or up to 3 feet, or up to 2 feet. The second fill layer 32 may have the same width and length as the rest of the bridge deck portion 20 and be based on the desired use and installation location of the wildlife bridge structure 10. The second fill layer 32 may include various materials, which6BZ2890.DOCX 10Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219may be compressed into a layer. Non-limiting examples of materials for the second fill layer 32 include soil, dirt, sand, gravel, concrete, aggregate, and combinations thereof.

[0048] In some non-limiting embodiments, the bridge deck portion 20 may include an interlocked road mat layer 34. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may be positioned over the fill layer 32. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may be the outermost layer of the bridge deck portion 20. The interlocked road mat layer 34 includes a plurality of road mats which are interlocked together to form a layer of the bridge deck portion 20. In some non-limiting embodiments, the bridge deck portion 20 may include at least one interlocked road mat layer 34, such as at least two interlocked road mat layers 34. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may have any suitable thickness. For example, the interlocked road mat layer 34 may have a thickness of at least linch, or at least 6 inches, or at least 1 foot, or at least 2 feet. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may have a thickness of up to 4 feet, or up to 3 feet, or up to 2 feet, or up to 1 foot. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may have the same width and length as the rest of the bridge deck portion 20 and be based on the desired use and installation location of the wildlife bridge structure 10. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may include a plurality of road mats of various materials, such as a composite material, a polymeric material, wood or a combination thereof. For example, the road mats may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or wood. For example, the road mats may include bonded layers of wood. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may include a textured outermost surface, thereby providing an anti-skid surface for the vehicles traversing the wildlife bridge structure 10. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may include a recyclable material such that the road mats of the interlocked road mat layer 34 can be recycled. In some non-limiting embodiments, the plurality of road mats may interlock by any suitable means. For example, the plurality of road mats may interlock without the need for a fastener, such that each mat includes edge components which allow the road mat to interlock with an adjacent road mat. In some non-limiting embodiments, the plurality of road mats may be interlocked with aid from a fastener, which can be any suitable fastener. The road mats of the interlocked road mat layer 34 may be capable of disengaging one another, such that the interlocked road mat layer 34 may be taken apart. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may be non-absorbent, such that water and other liquids from the environment do not absorb into the interlocked road mat layer 34 and may prevent environmental cross-contamination. The road mats of the interlocked road may layer 34 may have any suitable dimensions. For example, the road mats may have a thickness that is the same as the interlocked road mat layer 34, and a length in the range of from 5 feet to 20 feet, such as6BZ2890.DOCX 11Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219about 14 feet, and a width in the range of from 2 feet to 15 feet, such as about 8 feet. Each mat of the plurality of road mats may be capable of supporting at least 400 psi of compression strength, or at least 500 psi of compression strength, or at least 600 psi of compression strength. The interlocked road mat layer 34 may be resistant to extreme cold, such as temperatures at or below -30°F, and may be resistant to static charge accumulation.

[0049] It should be noted that the present invention is not solely limited to the dimensional setup detailed herein, but that the wildlife bridge structure 10 can be designed to have any suitable dimensions depending upon the water depth to be forded, the width of the bridge deck desired, the load bearing capacity of the present invention’s bridge, etc.

[0050] In some non-limiting embodiments, a method of providing and / or installing a wildlife bridge structure which allows wildlife to pass underneath and a vehicle to pass overtop. In some non-limiting embodiments, the method may include forming the wildlife bridge structure 10 that is described herein. The method may include a step of providing and / or positioning a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements in a desired area. The set of parallel trench drain foundation elements may be the same as the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements 12 previously described. The method may include compacting a material, such as gravel, in the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements to form a layer of compacted material, which can be the same as the layer 14 of compacted material previously described. The method may include providing and / or positioning a layer of oversized material over the layer of compacted material, which can be the same as the layer 16 of oversized material previously described. The method may include providing and / or positioning the layer of oversized material with a thickness that decreases away from the bridge deck portion, such as at a 45° slope.

[0051] In some non-limiting embodiments, the method may include providing and / or positioning a deck bridge portion over and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements. The deck bridge portion may be the same as the deck bridge portion 20 previously described. For example, the deck bridge portion can include a first fill layer; a first gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first fill layer; a second gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first gabion structure layer; a fabric layer positioned over the second gabion structure layer; a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; and an interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.6BZ2890.DOCX 12Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219

[0052] The method may include providing and / or positioning a first fill layer over and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements, which may be the same as the first fill layer 22 previously described. The method may include compacting dirt into a layer to provide the first fill layer prior to providing and / or positioning over the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements. The method may include providing and / or positioning a first gabion structure layer over the first fill layer, which may be the same as the first gabion structure layer 24 previously described. The method may include positioning a plurality of perforated drainage pipes between the plurality of gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer. The plurality of perforated drainage pipes may be the same as the plurality of perforated drainage pipes 26 previously described. The method may include providing and / or positioning a second gabion structure layer over the first gabion structure layer, which may be the same as the second gabion structure layer 28 previously described. The method may include providing and / or positioning a fabric layer over the second gabion structure layer, which may be the same as the fabric layer 30 previously described. The method may include providing and / or positioning a second fill layer over the fabric layer, which may be the same as the second fill layer 32 previously described. The method may include compacting dirt into a layer to provide the second fill layer prior to providing and / or positioning over the fabric layer. The method may include providing and / or positioning an interlocked road mat layer over the second fill layer, which may be the same as the interlocked road mat layer 34 previously described. The method may include interlocking a plurality of road mats together to provide the interlocked road mat layer prior to providing and / or positioning over the second fill layer.

[0053] In some non-limiting embodiments, the method may include a method of providing and / or positioning a wildlife bridge in an area which allows wildlife to pass underneath and vehicle to pass overtop. In some non-limiting embodiments, the method may include positioning the wildlife bridge structure in an area which allows wildlife to pass underneath and a vehicle to pass overtop. The method may include clearing loose soil in the area prior to providing and / or positioning the wildlife bridge structure. The method may include grading the area and / or surface where the wildlife bridge structure is to be positioned. The method may include applying diatomaceous earth to the area and / or surface where the wildlife bridge structure is to be positioned. The method may include forming the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements on either side of the area where it is desired to allow wildlife to pass underneath and vehicles to pass overtop, and may extend down through the surface of the area. The method may include positioning the deck bridge portion as previously described,6BZ2890.DOCX 13Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219comprising positioning each of the deck bridge portion layers, on and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements that are formed on the area.

[0054] It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modification may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the particular embodiments described in detail herein are illustrative only and are not limiting to the scope of the invention, which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any and all equivalents thereof.6BZ2890.DOCX 14

Claims

Attorney Docket No. 04958-2601219WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A wildlife bridge structure which allows wildlife to pass underneath and a vehicle to pass overtop, comprising:a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements each comprising a layer of compacted material; anda bridge deck portion positioned over and supported by the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements, the bridge deck portion comprising:a first fill layer;a first gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first fill layer;a second gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures and positioned over the first gabion structure layer;a fabric layer positioned over the second gabion structure layer;a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; andan interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.

2. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements is at least 2 feet tall.

3. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of perforated drainage pipes positioned between the plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer.

4. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein the layer of compacted material comprises compacted gravel.

5. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein the interlocking road mat layer comprises a textured surface to provide anti-skid properties.

6. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein the interlocking road mat layer comprises a plurality of interlocked road mats that comprise a polymeric material or wood.6BZ2890.DOCX 15Attorney Docket No. 04958-26012197. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein the first fill layer and second fill layer have a thickness of at least 1 foot.

8. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein the first gabion structure layer and the second gabion structure layer have a thickness of at least 1 foot.

9. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein the fabric layer comprises a geotextile fabric that is liquid permeable.

10. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 1, wherein each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements further comprises a layer of oversized material positioned over the layer of compacted material.

11. The wildlife bridge structure of claim 10, wherein the layer of oversized material has a thickness that decreases away from the wildlife bridge structure.

12. A method of providing a bridge in an area which allows wildlife to pass underneath and vehicle to pass overtop, comprising the steps of:forming a set of spaced apart parallel trench drain foundation elements, each comprising a layer of compacted material, on either side of the area; andpositioning a bridge deck portion on the set of parallel trench drain foundation element, wherein the bridge deck portion comprises:a first fill layer;a first gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures positioned over the first fill layer;a second gabion structure layer comprising a plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures positioned over the first gabion structure layer;a fabric layer positioned over the second gabion structure layer;a second fill layer positioned over the fabric layer; andan interlocking road mat layer positioned over the first gabion structure layer.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising clearing loose soil from the area prior to the forming step.6BZ2890.DOCX 16Attorney Docket No. 04958-260121914. The method of claim 12, further comprising grading the area prior to the forming step.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising spreading diatomaceous earth over the area prior to the forming step.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein each trench drain foundation element of the set of parallel trench drain foundation elements is at least 2 feet tall.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the first gabion structure layer and the second gabion structure layer have a thickness of at least 1 foot.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the deck bridge portion further comprises a plurality of perforated drainage pipes positioned between the plurality of adjacently positioned gabion structures of the first gabion structure layer.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the interlocking road mat layer comprises a textured surface to provide anti-skid properties.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising positioning a layer of oversized material on the layer of compacted material of each trench drain foundation elements.6BZ2890.DOCX 17

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