Metal Detecting Old Bridges/Roadways

[fieldsjoe89]

I currently have my eye on a particular site that includes an old bridge/roadway and was wondering if anyone here ever had any luck detecting these type of locations?

My father was in construction and found things on the roadside while working job sites and I figured this has probably been the same for decades.

 

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[Ammoman]

All i have ever found around old bridges is trash, trash and more trash. Piles of trash discarded by trashy people who like to trash the environment.

 

[RTR]

While out for a ride.I Came across a old wooden covered bridge .Someday I'll return & hit it

 

[bayhawk2]

{Metal Detecting Old Bridges/Roadways }

I've looked around some.As was said above.A lot of trash.
Now,what I have heard is the goods are in the water.People throw all kinds of things off bridges.
But that's a whole nother story...)

 

[fieldsjoe89]

Thanks for the insight. I really wasn't sure what it would be like to hunt these type of areas. I'm new to the area I'm living in now and just now trying to get some new leads.

Here is a picture of the area for reference. I wish I had a waterproof detector atm, but maybe around Christmas time that can happen lol.

View attachment bridge.pdf

 

[digginNdreamin]

The last one I detected was loaded with rebar cut offs , tons can slaw, and other trash... BUT, the water is where to be..Drag a magnet and clean out all the ferrous stuff while your waiting on a water machine.. Theres a magnet fishing forum on here you can check out.. wish you luck,

Scott

 

[huntsman53]

If metal detecting the waters in Alabama...especially Central and South, best take precautions for any Rattlesnakes laying along the banks of creeks, streams and rivers and any Water Moccasins in or out of the water. Good luck!

 

[Gare]

If metal detecting the waters in Alabama...especially Central and South, best take precautions for any Rattlesnakes laying along the banks of creeks, streams and rivers and any Water Moccasins in or out of the water. Good luck!

Huntsman53 You forgot to mention GATORS !!!

 

[huntsman53]

Huntsman53 You forgot to mention GATORS !!!

Yeah, especially Florida Gators seeing that the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Florida Gators are staunch rivals. LOL!!

 

[chub]

{Metal Detecting Old Bridges/Roadways }

I've looked around some.As was said above.A lot of trash.
Now,what I have heard is the goods are in the water.People throw all kinds of things off bridges.
But that's a whole nother story...)

Be aware of that point.... What people THREW from a bridge. In my limited experience....people DROP trash and rubbish but tend to THROW other items further off. Maybe start hunting around throwing distance from the bridge, say 30 yards. Then move towards the bridge. Don't forget the banks.

Chub

 

[pepperj]

The first thing I'd do is do a little research on the roadway and the age. Does it warrant the effort of searching through construction debris to come up with a find?
Is this a bridge in the middle of nowhere where there would be foot traffic?
Folks stopping at a bridge on a main road is unlikely unless to throw/discard something that they want to get rid of.
Old bridges that might os seen a lot of troop or horse buggy traffic would be warranted in searching out.

Back in the 70's we detected and dug construction sites at tunnels and bridges pre/post of the actual site. These were from the 1880-1885 era sites along the railway, they provided lots of relics and mainly it was the old bottles that we were searching for at the time. The detectors at the time beeped on everything so it was a lost cause detecting at most of the sites.