St. Catharines in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Vertical Lift Bridges
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
1. Vertical Lift Bridges Marker
Twenty moveable bridges were constructed to cross the Welland Canal at the time of its opening in 1932. Of the eleven original vertical lift bridges, only three remain in use.
This sheave (a grooved wheel that forms part of a pulley) was removed in January 1998 from Bridge 10 in Thorold. It is the same size as the sheaves on Bridge No, 5 at Glendale Avenue, visible to the south of Lock 3.
How it works
The operator and motors to move the span are located in the enclosure at the centre of the bridge. The span is connected by wire ropes to counterweights hanging inside the towers. Two small motors easily raise and lower the bridge as the sheaves at the top of each tower rotate in order to balance the counterweights.
Facts and Figures. Bridge No. 5 Glendale Avenue
diameter of sheave 4.04 m (13 ft. 3 in.) weight of sheave 10.9 tonnes (12.2 tons) wire ropes 16 per sheave diameter of wire ropes 41.3 mm (1 5/8 in.) length of moveable span 63.6 m (208 ft. 8 in.) vertical clearance 36.6 m (120 ft.) weight of moveable span 1107 tonnes (1240 tons) weight of counter balance 1107 tonnes (1240
this page online
6 August 1999.
This sheave, donated to the St. Catharines Museum by The St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation, commemorates the 170th anniversary of the First Welland Canal and the 40th anniversary of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Cette poulis, donnιe au Musιe de St. Catharines par la Corporation de Gestion de la Voie Maritime du Saint-Laurent, commιmore le 170e anniversaire du premier canal Welland et le 40e anniversaire de l'ouverture de la Voie maritime du Saint-Laurent.
No. 10 Bridge constructed in 1928 for Canadian National Railway.
Regular maintenance is essential to keep all components of the Seaway in working order.
Caution! Climbing on the artifacts can be hazardous.
Erected 1999 by St. Catharines Museum.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the The Welland Canals series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 43° 9.305′ N, 79° 11.638′ W. Marker is in St. Catharines, Ontario, in Niagara Region. It can be reached from Welland Canals
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
2. Vertical Lift Bridges Marker
Southward
Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Niagara Canada. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bollards & Fairleads (a few steps from this marker); Shipbuilding in Niagara (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Welland Canals (within shouting distance of this marker); Horse Drawn Grape Hoe (within shouting distance of this marker); International Shipmasters' Association (within shouting distance of this marker); Spring Tooth Cultivator (within shouting distance of this marker); The Welland Canals and the St. Lawrence Seaway System (within shouting distance of this marker); Welland Ship Canal (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Catharines.
Regarding Vertical Lift Bridges. These vertical lift bridges along this canal introduced a new limitation upon Great Lakes ships using this canal: a maximum mast height.
Vertical lift bridges need to be raised and lowered periodically, even during the winter months when the canal is closed, to spread grease onto the steel cables, to keep them from rusting.
Also see . . . St. Catharines Museum & Welland Canal Centre
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
3. Back of Vertical Lift Bridges Marker
at right
Additional keywords. Welland Canal St. Lawrence Seaway
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
4. Sheave
Photographed by Anton Schwarzmueller, July 27, 2014
5. Glendale Avenue Vertical Lift Bridge
Restricted area. Zoomed picture taken through chain link fence, southward, at the edge of the museum grounds.
Photographed by Kevin Westell, April 6, 2021
6. Welland Canal's Bridge #5 (Glendale Bridge), 1 km south of marker
Designed in the 1920s, this near century-old bridge carries today's heavy auto traffic; and raises an average of 12 times daily for ships.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 878 times since then and 47 times this year. Last updated on September 4, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2014, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. 6. submitted on June 27, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
