Brug over de Oude Maas, Vertical-lift bridge in Zuid-Holland, Netherlands.
Brug over de Oude Maas was a steel structure spanning the Oude Maas river to connect two island communities. The vertical-lift mechanism allowed taller river vessels to pass beneath the deck when raised.
The original bridge opened in 1888 as a drawbridge for river traffic. In 1933, the mechanism was updated to a vertical-lift system to better serve growing vessel traffic.
The RTM steam tramway operated on the bridge from 1898, establishing a vital transportation link between Rotterdam and the Hoeksche Waard region.
The original bridge no longer stands, but ruins and remaining structures mark where it once crossed. You can explore the site to see preserved metal elements and buildings that once served bridge operations.
The bridge regularly carried steam trams across its deck, making it a key connection between Rotterdam and surrounding districts. This dual use reveals how river crossings once served multiple forms of transport.
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