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Folding bridge

Folding bridge
Hörnbrücke in Kiel
Hörnbrücke in Kiel
AncestorPlate girder bridge
RelatedLift bridge, submersible bridge, retractable bridge
DescendantNone
CarriesAutomobiles, pedestrians
Span rangeShort
MaterialSteel
MovableYes
Design effortHigh
Falsework requiredNo

A folding bridge is a type of moveable bridge engineered to fold. This allows ship traffic to pass through the waterway that the bridge spans.[1]

An example of a folding bridge is the Hörnbrücke (Hörn Bridge) in the city of Kiel in the German state of Schleswig-Holstein. When the bridge is down it spans 25.5 metres (84 ft) across the Kiel Fjord, known as the Hörn. The three-segment bascule bridge folds up into the shape of the capital letter N to allow for ship and boat traffic.[2]

Two of the thirst folding bridges were build in Chicago by Shailer & Schniglau out of steel. The first stood between 1891 to 1899 at the Weed Street.[3] The second was built in 1893 but was demolished 10 years later due to it being repeatedly out of service and two boat collisions in 1900.[4] It had a 89 foot span and a width of 35 feet.[5]

The movement of a folding bridge
Folding Bridge at Weed Street, Chicago (1891)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ McMahon, Mary (January 10, 2024). "What is a Folding Bridge?". All the Science. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  2. ^ "Hörnbrücke – Kiel, Germany - Atlas Obscura". Atlas Obscura. Archived from the original on December 8, 2023. Retrieved January 16, 2024.
  3. ^ "North Branch Bridges". chicagology.com. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  4. ^ canalman (2017-11-17). "Canal Street Bridge over the South Branch of the Chicago River". raddoc1947. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
  5. ^ "Canal Street Bridge - HistoricBridges.org". historicbridges.org. Retrieved 2025-08-21.


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