Tomlinson Lift Bridge, Vertical-lift railway and road bridge in New Haven, Connecticut, United States
The Tomlinson Lift Bridge is a steel structure in New Haven that carries vehicles, trains, and pedestrians across the Quinnipiac River. It can raise itself to allow larger vessels to pass through the waterway below.
The current bridge replaced three earlier structures at this location, starting with a wooden covered crossing from the city's founding era. Subsequent rebuilds eventually led to the modern hydraulic-lift design seen today.
The bridge stands as an engineering achievement, recognized with multiple awards including Best Project of the 2000 Decade by Associated Builders & Contractors.
The bridge accommodates cars, trains, and foot traffic at all times and can raise at any moment. Visitors should expect occasional lift operations that may temporarily halt traffic.
The structure uses 128 steel wire ropes as counterweights, each thicker than typical ship cables, to keep the massive lift span balanced. This system allows the heavy section to operate smoothly without requiring constant power.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
