Kandelaarbrug, Lift bridge at Zweth between Rotterdam and Delft, Netherlands
Kandelaarbrug is a lift bridge crossing the Delftse Schie between Rotterdam and Delft that raises hydraulically to let ships pass through. The steel structure has a cylinder beneath the deck that powers the lifting mechanism.
The bridge takes its name from a 17th-century inn called De Candelaar, where ships would dock at night. That building once stood on the riverbank and shaped the history of this location.
The bridge shows how Dutch engineers created space for both cyclists and ships in a tight area. Both forms of transport share the same location without getting in each other's way.
The bridge lifts regularly for ships up to 65 meters long and 7.5 meters wide. Cyclists and pedestrians can use the western ramp during openings, which slopes gently and is easy to walk or ride on.
The western approach ramp has a distinctive bend and stretches much longer than other ramps in the area. This unusual design came from the need to give cyclists a safe way to rise.
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