Originally posted by ƎϽ∀ƎԀ:

Leave a small gap in the bridge that you are able to walk over. Mobs will see it as unpassable due to not joining the land.

I can't then cross it with cart - unless I just keep placing and removing two pieces every time I'm crossing it with cart. Seriously lifting bridge is what this game needs the most now.

So I guess there is no clever way to accomplish what I need it seems with currently available building assets.