Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge

The Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the waterway between New Jersey and Staten Island. The structure uses steel trusses and raises its central section to let ships pass underneath.

The bridge opened in 1959 to handle growing rail traffic between New Jersey and Staten Island. It represented an important addition to the region's freight and passenger rail network.

Engineers incorporated vertical lift technology into the bridge design, representing mid-20th century industrial advancement in American railway infrastructure.

The best spots to watch the bridge are along the Arthur Kill shoreline where you can see the lifting mechanism in action. The operation happens on demand, so visiting without advance notice means you might not witness the lift.

The lifting system uses hydraulics to raise the central span over 130 feet above the water. This engineering solution allows large cargo ships to pass underneath while trains continue operating on either side without interruption.

Inception: October 4, 2006

Official opening: August 25, 1959

GPS coordinates: 40.63752,-74.19549

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:42