A cantilever type bridge spans this lock. It has a large block of cement on one end that acts like a lever and counter balances the weight of the bridge itself.

Very little energy is required to operate a bridge of this design.


Notice that there is also another steel structure on the other side of the bridge. Heavy steel cables are suspended from this steel support.

Several of these are used in all the locks and are raised and lowered like the bridge is.

They are located on each side of the lock gates.

When a ship enters the lock these are raised and lowered as part of the lockage. If a ship were to lose power or some other means of control as it entered the lock and smashed into a gate or bridge ... this would do considerable damge to the lock's equipment, and potentially cause the whole Seaway to come to a stop.

The cables on these steel arms are strong enough to catch a ship and stop it before it can do any serious damage.


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