1889 Swing: (
Bridge Hunter)
1959+2007 Lift: (
Bridge Hunter;
Dave Frieder Photos;
3D Satellite)
The reason for the 2007 date was that the use of this bridge was suspended in 1991, but it was rehabilitated in 2006 and returned to service in 2007. [BridgeHunter]
CRCX = Conrail Shared Assets Operations
The B&O built this bridge to carry freight traffic
to Staten Island and to ferries that in turn hauled the freight to Manhattan.
In November 1957, an Esso oil tanker collided with the old Arthur Kill bridge, knocking it off its central pivot. With the bridge rendered useless, the B&O immediately transferred all Staten Island freight to Jersey City. Car floats were used to bring Staten Island rail traffic back to St. George. By 1959, a new 558 foot single track vertical lift span replaced the old swing bridge. It is the longest of its type in the U.S. Along with the new bridge, the entire line from Cranford Jct to Arlington Yard was re-laid with new, heavier rail. A three mile branch line was extended from Gulf Port to Travis, along Staten Island’s west shore. This was done for unit coal trains coming from West Virginia to service a new Consolidated Edison power plant. Even late in the 1950’s, the B&O continued to invest in its New Jersey and Staten Island holdings. [jcrhs]
The 544' long lift span of the
Cape Cod Canal Bridge was the longest in the USA until this 558' long span was built in 1959. "
The largest vertical lift bridge in the world, with a 558' long main span, 215' high towers and 135' clearance of lift span in raised position." [BridgeHunter]
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Bridges Now and Then posted
"The Arthur Kill Lift bridge was built in 1959 by American Bridge on behalf of B&O Railroad. Moving the bridge into place was a massive undertaking. At 558' the center span had to be carefully balanced and shifted into place atop multiple Hughes barges and needing 4 tugs to get it properly positioned. McAllister tugs “Dorothy MacAllister” and Teresa McAllister” can be seen with two additional unidentified tugs behind. To this day the bridge has the longest lift span in the world. The Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge is located just north of the Goethals Bridge." (Hughes Marine Firms)
Carroll Runion: I drove the first and last rivet and thousands in between in this bridge and was on top along with the rest of our riveting gang to ride it on the way to placing it in position. I could write a small book on experiences while on this bridge and others including the Verrazano which I spent three years on. I went on to become a superintendent with American Bridge Company which was owned by US Steel at the time and was in my opinion the best steel erector in the world to work for. They were sold and still doing well. I have a large glossy picture of this bridge being transported but I think from the other end (I haven’t looked at it in years.) I doubt if anyone is interested but if anyone wants to know any more interesting stories about happenings during construction of this bridge just text me and I will share. Carroll Runion |
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Dave Frieder commented on the above post
One of my Hundreds of images of the Arthur Kill Lift bridge. It replaced a Swing Bridge in 1959. |
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Dave Frieder commented on the above post
Another view at Track Level. No overhead Catenary and no 3rd Rail. |
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Dave Frieder commented on the above post
One of my color images with the span in the Closed or Down position. Only 33 feet [10m] of clearance. |
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| Dave Frieder commented on the above post |
United States beauty posted three photos with the comment:
The Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge is a railroad bridge that connects Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Staten Island, New York, crossing the Arthur Kill waterway. It is notable for being one of the largest vertical lift bridges in the world, with a span that can rise 135 feet to allow large ships to pass underneath. The bridge was built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) and opened in 1959 to replace an older swing bridge at the site.
Currently owned by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the bridge is used by Conrail Shared Assets Operations for freight rail service, connecting important rail yards in New Jersey to those on Staten Island. The lift mechanism is used frequently to accommodate both rail and marine traffic, as the Arthur Kill is a busy shipping channel.
Despite its heavy use, the bridge has seen updates and improvements, with modernized control systems added to enhance safety and efficiency. Its unique design and essential role in the infrastructure of the New York-New Jersey region make the Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge an engineering landmark and an important part of the area’s transportation network.
Robert Ballasty: "updates & improvements"? Umm.... yes. It was completely out of service for years until it was restored ~20 years +/- ago.
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Dave Frieder: My Photograph! |
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Dave Frieder: My Photograph! |
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River Rail Photo posted
Erie Lackawanna Heritage on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Sunset on January 15, 2020 brings Conrail's BY-1 over the former B&O bridge from Staten Island, NY to Elizabeth, NJ with Norfolk Southern Corp 1700 (Erie Lackwanna, SD45-2) leading. This unit is not merely a tribute, but an original Erie Lackawnna engine, one of several SD45-2 that are active on Norfolk Southern's roster.
Bernie Maylie: The ”AK” lift bridge is 558’ long and it is the longest lift span of any vertical lift bridge in the world, nice picture.
Douglas Butler shared
River Rail Photo EL Railroad Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Bridge between Staten Island, NY and Elizabeth, NJ. |
The 1889 bridge was the first bridge between New Jersey and New York and it was the worlds largest drawbridge when built. [
TimesMachine via
Wikipedia] After the Arthur Kill Straits were dredged to allow ocean going ships to pass, this bridge became a significant navigation hazard and the federal government primarily financed the lift bridge to replace it. The clearance was just 30'. As an example, in 1952, it had to be opened to allow 13,346 ships to pass. [Wikipedia]
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| Via BridgeHunter, Published prior to 1923 |
Four images and lots of text about the swing bridge and some text about the 1956 lift bridge
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Classic Staten Island posted
The Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Railroad Bridge is a rail vertical-lift bridge connecting Elizabethport, New Jersey, and the Howland Hook Marine Terminal on Staten Island, New York, United States. The bridge was built by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in 1959 to replace the Arthur Kill Bridge, a swing bridge that opened in 1890. It contains a single track that is used mainly to carry garbage out of New York City, as well as to transport freight to destinations in western Staten Island. The bridge parallels the Goethals Bridge, which carries Interstate 278. It has the longest lift span of any vertical-lift bridge in the world. The bridge is normally kept in the raised position (open to shipping), lowering to allow the passage of trains. As of 2018, U.S. Coast Guard regulations limit lowering the bridge to two 15-minute periods per day, with advance warning and restrictions on lowering during high tide. Photo: Islanders watch from shore. Islanders watch span ease down Kill, May 31, 1959.
Bridges Now and Then shared |
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Metrotrails added
Arthur Kill and rail bridge view from New Goethals Bridge walkway between Elizabeth NJ and Staten Island NY
Dennis Wheatley: NYC trash trains mainly
M'ke Helbing shared |
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Robert Quinlan posted
The Arthur Kill Vertical Lift Railroad Bridge connects Elizabeth, NJ and Staten Island, NY. Built in 1959 to replace the Arthur Kill Bridge, it parallels the Goethals Bridge and has the longest lift span of any vertical-lift bridge in the world. Took this photo from the new pedestrian walkway of the Goethals Bridge.
Stevie Knox As seen in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkFQHScyti0 [At 0:25]
Joe Sichelstiel BuIlt by the B&O when they owned the STR. |
This must be the swing bridge that was destroyed by the oil tanker allision.
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Ed Drury posted
The Arthur Kill (Howland Hook) Railroad replacement bridge being moved into place by McAllister Tugs. 1959. Staten Island, NY. |
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| Robert Hughes commented on Ed's post |
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Robert Hughes commented on Ed's post
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Robert Hughes commented on Ed's post
We had some barges on that job. Here are some others from above. Must have been quite the sight! It is amazing what they accomplished at the time! |
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Gerard Thornton commented on Ed's post
Here it is in 2025… |
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