Carlton Bridge, Railway bridge in Sagadahoc County, US
Carlton Bridge is a railway crossing with a vertical-lift mechanism that spans the Kennebec River between Bath and Woolwich. The movable section can raise to allow boats to pass, while the lower deck continues to serve freight trains to local manufacturers.
Built in 1927 by Pittsburgh's McClintic-Marshall Company, the bridge originally carried both rail and vehicle traffic across the river. Road use ended in 2000, leaving only the lower railway deck operational for trains.
The bridge reflects early 20th-century engineering approaches through its metal truss design and riveted construction. Visitors can observe the craftsmanship of that era when walking across the structure.
The structure today serves active freight operations, with the upper deck no longer offering public road access. Best views come from the river banks or nearby roads in Bath and Woolwich rather than from crossing the bridge directly.
The lift mechanism remains fully operational and occasionally raises when boats navigate the river below. Few visitors realize this rare active operation keeps the century-old bridge integrated with modern river traffic.
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