Fairport Lift Bridge

NYS Canal Corporation – NYS Department of Transportation

The New York State Canal Corporation and the New York State Department of Transportation recently replaced the lifting cables on the Fairport Lift Bridge. During those repairs, the Fairport Lift Bridge was closed to vehicular traffic. Those repairs, performed during July and August of 2006, will keep our lift bridge in good working order for 15 years or more.

Lift Bridges

Lift bridges on the New York State Canal System are raised to allow the passage of vessel traffic on the Canal, and then lowered to allow vehicle traffic to cross over the Canal. To assist in the movement of the bridge, a system of underground concrete counterweights and cables are used. Since the total weight of the counterweight is slightly less than the total weight of the bridge, a relatively small motor is needed to raise and lower the bridge. When the bridge is in the down or seated position, the counterweights are in the raised position. When the bridge is in the raised position, the counterweights are in the lowered position.

Counterweight Cable Replacements

The Fairport Lift bridge cables were last replaced in 1988. The average service life of the counterweight cables is 15 years. Thanks to the recent cable replacement, our lift bridge should remain in fine working condition well into the 2020s.

Contact the
FAIRPORT VILLAGE PARTNERSHIP
6 N. Main Street, Suite 105
Fairport, New York 14450
585-377-6010