Railroad Drawbridge, Hog Jaw Valley

Photo of the Week – January 21, 2015

Long Island Creek Railroad Drawbridge, Hog Jaw Valley, Alabama (Photo taken June 21, 2014)

Taken: June 21, 2014
This is the current and frequently used lift-type railroad drawbridge over long Island Creek of the Tennessee River, near Hog Jaw Valley, Alabama. This bridge replaced a swinging or pivoting “drawbridge” that turned on a pivot point so vessels could proceed along the river.

The bridge operator controls bridge openings from inside the little shelter on top of the bridge between the two towers.

This is one of the places we visited on A Trip Back to Hog Jaw Valley (Parts 1 and 2). My friend Don, who grew up in Hog Jaw Valley had some fond memories and interesting stories to tell regarding the bridges over the river.

Photograph ©2014 Jeff Richmond