Burlington Canal Lift Bridge, Vertical lift bridge in Burlington, Canada
The Burlington Canal Lift Bridge is a steel vertical lift bridge crossing the canal that links Hamilton Harbour to Lake Ontario in Ontario, Canada. It carries four lanes of road traffic alongside a walkway open to pedestrians.
The first crossing at this location was built in 1830, and several structures followed over the decades as the canal grew in importance. The current steel bridge was completed in 1962, making it the sixth in a long series at this spot.
The bridge is part of daily life for people on both sides of the canal, who often stop and watch as large ships move through below them. This moment of shared waiting, cars paused and pedestrians leaning on the railing, is something locals have known for generations.
During the navigation season, which runs from March to December, the bridge deck can be raised to let large vessels through, so drivers and pedestrians should expect short waits. The metal grating on the walking surface can feel uneven underfoot, so sturdy shoes are a good idea.
The bridge deck is made of open metal grating rather than solid pavement, so anyone walking across can look straight down through the surface to the water below. This makes a crossing on foot feel very different from walking over a standard bridge.
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