Florence Bridge, Vertical-lift bridge in Florence, Illinois, United States.
Florence Bridge is a road crossing over the Illinois River that features a vertical-lift mechanism in the middle and Parker truss sections extending on either side. The structure was designed to allow river traffic to pass by raising its central span when needed.
The bridge was completed in 1929 by the Illinois Steel Bridge Company as a major crossing along US Route 36. Its importance as a primary route changed when a newer bridge was constructed to serve the same corridor decades later.
The bridge marks the departure point of the 99th Illinois Infantry, who left from this location to join the Civil War on August 23, 1862.
The bridge accommodates two lanes of traffic flowing in opposite directions across the river. Visitors can approach it from either side and view the structure from various vantage points along the riverbanks.
The lifting mechanism developed problems in 2012 that led to the removal of key mechanical components. Since then the bridge cannot be lowered to allow river traffic to pass underneath.
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