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 maintains the maritime heritage of Bruges by enabling both land transportation and water vessel navigation through its lifting mechanism.
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.
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