Mexicobrug, Rolling lift bridge in the old harbour, Antwerp, Belgium

The Mexicobrug is a complex of two identical Scherzer rolling lift bridges with electric drive, spanning a 21-metre navigation channel between the Kattendijkdok and Houtdok. Each section has a tall riveted steel truss on one side, topped by counterweight boxes, and a planked deck carrying a roadway and two pairs of parallel rails. A sign on the overhead girder reads "VRIJE HOOGTE 5 m".

It was built between 1936 and 1941 and replaced an earlier hydraulic swing bridge that stood in the same location. Originally designed for rail traffic, it was later adapted to carry modern tram lines.

The name refers to Mexico, following the old harbour tradition of naming docks and bridges after distant destinations; the adjacent Mexico Island and Mexicodok carry the same reference. Since 1997 each bridge carries a work by Antwerp artist Nancy Van Meer fixed to its underside, visible only when the spans are raised for shipping.

Since 26 May 2026 the two bridges stand open daily between 10:00 and 15:00 for shipping, replacing the earlier single weekly opening on request. The deck carries a road plus two pairs of rails, and a sign at the portal gives the clearance as "VRIJE HOOGTE 5 m". Ships use VHF channel 69. The bridge was closed for several months from summer 2025 after frequent opening had shifted the bridge sections.

In 1997, under each bridge deck, a work by Antwerp artist Nancy Van Meer was mounted for the Bridge Art exhibition during the Portival festival; four other old-harbour bridges were dressed the same way. The pieces were visible only when the bridges opened for shipping.