Ontario's Historical Plaques
at ontarioplaques.com
Learn a little Ontario history as told through its plaques
Smiths Falls Bascule Bridge
Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2009
Photo by contributor Geoffrey Wyght
Plaque Location
The County of Lanark
The Town of Smiths Falls
On Abbot Street at the canal
Coordinates: N 44 53.830 W 76 01.626 |
 |
Plaque Text
This Scherzer Rolling Lift bascule bridge is an outstanding early example of a novel concept in movable bridges, developed by William Scherzer, an American engineer. It combines the balanced counterweight of a conventional bascule bridge, with a unique rolling lift motion that all but eliminates friction. Erected in 1912-1913 to carry the Canadian Northern Railway main line across the Rideau Canal, a busy steamboat navigation system, the bridge was renowned for its ease and speed of operation, proving the efficiency of the concept.
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