Chesapeake City Bridge, Vertical-lift tied-arch bridge in Chesapeake City, Maryland.
The Chesapeake City Bridge is a steel structure spanning the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal with a lifting mechanism that allows boats to pass through. The dual-design combines a movable lift deck with stable arches on the sides to support vehicles and vessels.
Construction finished in 1949, replacing a ferry service that had carried travelers across the canal. This new link transformed regional traffic patterns and connected two shores that had previously relied on boat passage.
The bridge marks daily life in Chesapeake City and serves as a familiar landmark for local commuters. When the lift gate raises, drivers watch sailboats and cargo vessels pass beneath while waiting on either side.
Heavy boat traffic can create longer waits as the deck lifts and cars must pause their crossing. It is wise to allow extra time, especially during summer months when more vessels use the waterway.
The bridge uses a rare combined system that engineers specially designed in 1949 for this location. Its blend of lift function and arch engineering solved the complex problem of routing both ships and cars through the same point.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
