Scheepsdale bridge, Rolling lift bridge in Bruges, Belgium.

The Scheepsdale bridge crosses the Bruges-Ostend Canal and connects both riverbanks with separate lanes for cars, buses, bicycles and pedestrians. The structure lifts quickly to allow boats to pass through without long delays.

The current bridge replaced an older Vierendeel swing bridge from the 1920s during a reconstruction project that started in 2009. This modernization updated the canal crossing for today's traffic needs.

The bridge's name refers to the Scheepsdale area, and it carries the N9 road over the Bruges-Ostend Canal. The 2009-2011 replacement was designed by Architectuur en Stedenbouw E+W Eggermont. Its tilting arms rise along the bridge's length, perpendicular to the canal, and the wider passage speeds up both road and boat traffic.

The bridge mechanism lifts quickly, which minimizes congestion for both vehicles and boats. The separate lanes mean pedestrians, cyclists and drivers each have their own clear path across.

The bridge lifts through steel rollers that slide sideways rather than rotating around a single pivot point. This unusual design with a curved foundation allows it to rise quickly without traditional bearing points.