What is the SAGA River Railroad Bridge used for?

The SAGA River Railroad Bridge is a historic structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1905 by the Passaic Steel Company, the bridge is a single leaf Scherzer rolling lift bascule bridge that carries New Haven Line railroad traffic over the Saugatuck River in Westport, Connecticut.

The SAGA River Railroad Bridge (Bridge No. 8032R) carries the Metro-North New Haven Line, Amtrak Northeast Corridor Line, and one freight line over both the Saugatuck River and Ferry Lane in Westport, Connecticut. Metro-North currently operates approximately thirty-six trains eastbound and thirty-six trains westbound during typical weekdays. In addition, Amtrak’s daily operations include approximately twelve trains eastbound and thirteen trains westbound. The bridge also services one freight train eastbound and one westbound on a typical day. The bridge is situated approximately five hundred feet east of the Westport Railroad Station and the structure supports four tracks.

The SAGA River Railroad Bridge also accommodates pedestrians, with a walkway on the south side of the structure.

How does the SAGA River Railroad Bridge open for marine navigation?

The bridge has two – 50 H.P. diesel engines located in the bridge operator’s house adjacent to the moveable span on the south side. The operator’s house is equipped with controls for span locks, derails, and the console to operate the moveable bridge.  The bridge requires five personnel to open and close the bridge: one bridge operator, two bridge maintainers, and two bridge mechanics. Due to the bridge’s condition and age, bridge mechanics need to be present to operate the diesel engines and ensure the locking mechanisms are working correctly. Lifting the pedestrian walkway into place during each bridge opening requires the efforts of the bridge operator and two bridge maintainers.

Other moveable bridges in CT.