Union Street Bridge, Bascule bridge in Brooklyn, United States.
The Union Street Bridge crosses the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn with multiple vehicle lanes and separate pathways for pedestrians and cyclists. The structure features two movable sections that can be raised to allow boats to pass underneath.
The structure was completed in 1905 and marked a period of industrial and infrastructure development in Brooklyn. Its construction was part of broader efforts to better connect the growing urban population through bridge building.
The bridge links two neighborhoods and serves as a daily passageway for local commuters crossing the canal. It plays a practical role in how residents move through Brooklyn and connect different parts of the area.
Pedestrians and cyclists can use the wide, separate pathways that are clearly divided from vehicle traffic. During busy times or when the bridge opens for boats, crossing may take longer than usual.
The distinctive feature is its Scherzer rolling lift mechanism, a self-powered system that raises the bridge roadway. This rare engineering approach allows the entire road surface to lift without needing separate lever structures.
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