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.
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]
Four images and lots of text about the swing bridge and some text about the 1956 lift bridge
A YouTube video of a CSX train crossing the bridge It easily handles double-stack containers. Near the end of the video are views of the old Goethals Bridge.
A YouTube of a CSX intermodal with the old road bridge in the background
You can tell that CSX still has routes with clearance restrictions because quite a few platforms are carrying just one container. Those container trains are probably servicing the New York Container Terminal that is just north of the railroad on Staten Island.
This must be the swing bridge that was destroyed by the oil tanker allision.
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]
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| Street View taken from the new Goethals Bridge [It is nice to see a truss bridge with a fresh paint job.] |
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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| July 2019 Photo by Geoff Hubbs via BridgeHunter, License: Released into public domain |
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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| 1 |
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| 2 Dave Frieder: My Photograph! |
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| 3 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. |
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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 |
A YouTube video of a CSX train crossing the bridge It easily handles double-stack containers. Near the end of the video are views of the old Goethals Bridge.
A YouTube of a CSX intermodal with the old road bridge in the background
You can tell that CSX still has routes with clearance restrictions because quite a few platforms are carrying just one container. Those container trains are probably servicing the New York Container Terminal that is just north of the railroad on Staten Island.
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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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| Noel Ortega, Mar 2018 |
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| Jose Alonso Jaramillo, cropped |
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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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| safe_image for B&O Railroad had strong presence on Staten Island for 100 years |
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