Saugatuck River Railroad Bridge, Railroad bridge in Westport, US.
The Saugatuck River Railroad Bridge is a railway crossing over the Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut, featuring a mechanical lift system beneath its single span. This type of bridge was designed to allow trains to cross while raising its structure to permit vessel traffic below.
This structure was built in 1905 to serve the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad during a period of rapid rail expansion in New England. It later received recognition on the National Register of Historic Places, acknowledging its importance to regional transportation development.
The structure earned recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987 as part of Connecticut's collection of moveable railroad bridges.
The bridge can be viewed from adjacent street crossings and from areas near the riverbank where trains regularly pass. Those interested in engineering can observe the structure from public locations without needing special access or permits.
Two 50-horsepower diesel engines power the lifting operation, a reminder of how engineers solved bridge movements before modern automation became standard. These engines showcase the mechanical approach required to manage river traffic and rail passage simultaneously.
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