Pretoria Bridge, Vertical-lift bridge over Rideau Canal in Ottawa, Canada
The Pretoria Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge spanning the Rideau Canal in Ottawa with a central metal section that rises to allow boats and ships to pass underneath. The structure carries road traffic while serving as a key link in the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal corridor.
The original bridge was designed in 1915 by the Chicago-based Strauss Bascule Bridge Company. It was replaced in 1981 with the current structure featuring updated engineering and mechanisms.
The bridge connects neighborhoods on either side of the waterway while forming part of the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal corridor that defines the area's character.
The bridge operates during navigation season from May to October when lifting cycles may occur multiple times daily. Pedestrians and drivers should expect brief waiting periods when the lift mechanism is in operation.
The counterweights and operating mechanisms are hidden inside the bridge piers rather than displayed in visible towers as found on other lift bridges. This concealed design gives it a cleaner appearance compared to typical lift bridge structures.
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