Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Fruitvale Railroad Bridge

The Fruitvale Railroad Bridge spans the Estuary from Oakland to the island town of Alameda (on the right).  To my eye it looks like a 1930s construction but it was actually built by the Army Corps of Engineers in 1951.  It's a vertical lift bridge with railroad tracks on it that is lowered into position when trains need to cross the estuary.  The Miller-Sweeney Bridge it the drawbridge next to it that carries car traffic.  It was designed to raise to full height it only 66 seconds.  The truth is that locals  call them both the Fruitvale Bridge.  Bridge fans will be happy to know there is a website for the bridges!  For a picture of the bridge drawn up, go here.

5 comments:

  1. I should post a few bridges I have taken loads of photos of them. Like the Rail bridge there

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  2. Real nice bridge

    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral

    =^..^=

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  3. Nice bridge. I guess it is cheaper with a vertical lift than as a cantilever.

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  4. Quite a distinctive pair of bridges!

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  5. I guess the channel is so narrow that this lift approach was the only one that might work. Interesting.

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