Kantelbruggen

Kantelbruggen, or tilting bridges, are a category of movable bridges in which the entire bridge deck is mounted on a hinge and tilted to open a waterway. In typical configurations the deck pivots about a horizontal axis at one edge or along a frame, and when opening, the deck rotates upward to a near-vertical position to create sufficient clearance for vessels. The operation is usually powered by hydraulic cylinders, electric motors, or counterweights, and is controlled from a bridge control house or via remote signaling. When closed, the deck sits flush to form the roadway or pedestrian walkway; when open, the mechanism supports the deck in its raised position and a lock or support system secures it.

Kantelbruggen are commonly found on canals and rivers where space is limited and where traffic on the waterway requires occasional openings. They were particularly common in the Netherlands and other parts of Northern Europe, with many built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Over time, modern basculebruggen or rolling- or lift-type movable bridges have replaced many kantelbruggen, but some remain in service, often as functional infrastructure or heritage structures. Maintenance focuses on the hinge and drive system, including lubricants, corrosion protection, and the reliability of the actuation mechanism.

For context, kantelbruggen are distinct from draaibruggen (swing bridges), which rotate horizontally to clear the water, and from bascule bridges, which use counterbalanced leaves that lift.