Burlington–Bristol Bridge, Steel vertical-lift road bridge over Delaware River in Burlington County, United States
The Burlington-Bristol Bridge is a steel road bridge that crosses the Delaware River between New Jersey and Pennsylvania, carrying traffic across two lanes. It features a lift mechanism that raises the middle section to allow ships to pass beneath it.
Construction began in 1930 following approvals from Congress and the War Department, with the bridge opening to traffic in 1931. This completion marked an important step in connecting communities on both sides of the Delaware River.
The bridge structure represents early 20th-century engineering with its through-truss spans, stringer spans, and deck truss spans crossing the Delaware River between two states.
Vehicles crossing into Pennsylvania pay a toll, while the bridge lifts as needed for ships to pass underneath. Plan for a bit of extra time if marine traffic is expected, as bridge openings interrupt vehicle flow.
The lift mechanism relies on two large concrete counterweights that use gravity to raise the bridge span. This gravity-based system makes it a fascinating example of how early engineers solved the problem of accommodating both vehicle and marine traffic.
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