lift bridge

[Sumpter250]

What kind of traffic would have used that puny "canal" - canoes??? Here in Texas we would call that a creek.....Seems like a lot of bridge for a little water

Any waterway, capable of watercraft traffic, or used for watercraft traffic, is considered a "navigable waterway", and any bridge across it must be capable of allowing unrestricted passage of the aforementioned watercraft traffic. In many cases, it's the type and height of the "usual" ships and boats, that determine the type of bridge used.

The reason I ask is that there are no railroad tracks associated with the bridge. Was there a branch line at one time?

If you look carefully at the right hand side of the picture, there is just the hint of old tracks, still in place.

Jim, That is another great little bridge...................................now where can I use one of those..?