A system and method transports a load across an expanse between first and second locations. The first and second locations can be on land and/or water and having a base surface of ground, waterbed, and/or vessel between them. The system includes supports, ramps, and a bridge assembly. The supports mounting on the base surface and are disposed on first and second sides of the expanse. The ramps mount on adjacent ones of the supports and/or on at least one the supports and the base surface. The bridge assembly has one or more longitudinal girders configured to extend parallel to one another across the expanse. Each girder has beams being modular and being hingedly connected end-to-end. Each girder has a first end supported on a first support, has a second end supported on a second support, and has an entire length between the ends that is self-supported. The entire self-supported length supports and transfers weight of the load to the ends supported on the supports. In this way, weight from the load is not transferred to a levee or the like in the expanse.