Description
Operate and monitor railroad and highway drawbridges to safely manage marine passages and land traffic. Control bridge mechanisms and signals, communicate with vessels and dispatch, maintain logs, inspect and service equipment, and respond to incidents. May supervise bridge operations.
- • Operate controls to raise and lower drawbridges and other movable spans.
- • Move levers or switches to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
- • Stop road, rail, and pedestrian traffic and lower gates prior to bridge movement.
- • Verify the bridge is clear of vehicles and pedestrians before opening.
- • Direct vessel movements in bridge areas via radio, signals, or loudspeakers.
- • Observe approaching vessels for size, speed, and whistle or radio signals requesting passage.
- • Monitor vessel position and progress to ensure safe clearance through the opening.
- • Raise the bridge for water traffic and lower it after passage; reopen gates for land traffic.
- • Record vessel names, types, destinations, and counts of trains or vehicles crossing.
- • Monitor water levels, weather, tides, and visibility; log pertinent data.
- • Inspect bridge machinery, spans, roadbeds, rails, and safety devices; report defects.
- • Clean, lubricate, and make minor adjustments or repairs to equipment.
- • Write and submit maintenance work orders and requisitions.
- • Perform housekeeping and groundskeeping to keep the bridge station clean and orderly.
- • Maintain watch at the bridge station and monitor waterways for boat traffic.
- • Prepare incident and accident reports.
- • Coordinate opening schedules with marine traffic and road or rail dispatch and law enforcement.
- • Test backup power, interlocks, and emergency systems per procedures.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
