Clarence St. Bridge

The Clarence Street Bridge is a vertical-lift bridge crossing the Welland Canal in Port Colborne. Its steel structure with a through-truss design allows tall ships to pass underneath when the bridge deck rises.

This bridge was built between 1927 and 1929 as part of the canal's expansion and modernization. It replaced older crossing structures to handle the growing ship traffic through the waterway.

The bridge location decision involved extensive discussions between city officials and residents, with some preferring Fraser Street as an alternative crossing point.

The lifting mechanism operates smoothly to let ships through, and visitors can watch the process from the bank or walk across when it is lowered. The bridge is accessible year-round and offers views of the waterway and surrounding area.

This bridge was designed by a respected engineering firm and represents one of only a few vertical-lift road bridges still standing on the canal. Its survival and continued operation make it a notable example of early industrial engineering in the region.

Location: Port Colborne

GPS coordinates: 42.88640,-79.24860

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:44