Buda Bridge, Vertical-lift bridge in Neder-Over-Heembeek, Belgium.
The Buda Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge that crosses the Brussels-Scheldt Maritime Canal, carrying pedestrians and vehicles over the waterway. It measures 41.4 meters long and 13.5 meters wide, connecting neighborhoods on both sides of the canal.
The original bascule bridge built in 1931 was destroyed during World War II by British bombing. The current structure was constructed in 1955 to replace it.
The name comes from a 17th-century farm and coaching inn called Buda, named after Buda, the western part of Budapest. After the city was retaken from the Ottomans in summer 1686, celebrations in Western Europe led several inns to be called "In Buda", including ones in Molenbeek, Asse and Wezembeek-Oppem. The hamlet beside the bridge keeps that name.
The bridge accommodates daily traffic and is open to both pedestrians and vehicles. When ships need to pass, the bridge lifts, so expect occasional delays if visiting during busy shipping times.
The lift mechanism allows vessels up to 35 meters in height to pass underneath when the bridge is raised. This engineering feature makes it essential for inland waterway traffic.
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