A vertical-lift bridge or just lift bridge is a type of movable bridge in which a span rises vertically while remaining parallel with the deck.
4-684: The PATH Lift is a lift bridge carrying the Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid transit line across the Hackensack River between Kearny and Jersey City, New Jersey . It is used by PATH trains going to and from Newark . The bridge was built by the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) in 1900. It was part of the PRR main line that terminated at Exchange Place in Jersey City. Upon
8-454: A vertical lift are only required to be equal to the weight of the deck, whereas bascule bridge counterweights must weigh several times as much as the span being lifted. As a result, heavier materials can be used in the deck, and so this type of bridge is especially suited for heavy railroad use. The biggest disadvantage to the vertical-lift bridge (in comparison with many other designs) is the height restriction for vessels passing under it, due to
12-747: The opening of the PRR North River Tunnels to Manhattan 's Penn Station in 1910, the main line traffic was routed on a new alignment to the tunnels, and the Exchange Place line tracks were made available to the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad , a rapid transit line to lower Manhattan (later called PATH). Service on a new H&M line between the Manhattan Transfer station in Harrison, New Jersey and lower Manhattan began on October 1, 1911. The service
16-589: Was later extended southward to Newark. Use of the bridge was shared by the PRR and H&M until PRR closed Exchange Place in 1961. Since that time, it has been used solely by H&M/PATH trains on the Newark–World Trade Center line (known as Newark-Hudson Terminal before 1971). Lift bridge The vertical lift offers several benefits over other movable bridges such as the bascule and swing-span bridges . Generally speaking, they cost less to build for longer moveable spans. The counterweights in
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