Railroad Lift Bridge

Railroad Lift Bridge

NPS/Spencer

Quick Facts

Location:

Williamsport, Maryland

Amenities

1 listed

Scenic View/Photo Spot

Built in 1923 by the Western Maryland Railway, the railroad lift bridge is one of several one-of-a-kind features on the C&O Canal. Operating like an elevator, this structure lifted the railroad tracks to allow canal boats to pass beneath. The tracks, for transporting coal, led to the power plant between the river and the canal. In 1924, the C&O Canal closed making the lift bridge unnecessary. The bridge was lifted in 2016 to allow boats to pass underneath, and in 2019 a wooden staircase was installed to allow visitors to cross the bridge to reach the towpath.