BridgeCanada

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


7. Bridge

A bridge is a structure that carries a road, path or railway over an obstacle such as a river, valley, railway line or another road. A road bridge may carry one or more roadways together with pedestrian or cycling facilities.

Drivers should follow any speed, weight, height, width or vehicle-access restrictions applying to the bridge. Particular care may be necessary on narrow, exposed or movable bridges and when weather conditions such as wind, rain or ice affect the road surface.

Bridge
Warning for narrow bridge. (British Columbia, Canada)
Wikimedia.org • Joe Mabel • CC BY-SA
What is a bridge?

A bridge is a structure that carries a road, path or railway over an obstacle such as a river, valley, railway or another road.

Can a bridge carry several traffic lanes?

Yes. Road bridges may carry one or several traffic lanes and can also contain pavements, cycle facilities or public-transport infrastructure.

Can a bridge have a weight limit?

Yes. A bridge may have restrictions on the maximum vehicle mass or axle load that it can safely accommodate. Drivers of heavy vehicles must obey the applicable signs.

Can a bridge have a width or height restriction?

Yes. Narrow bridges or structures forming part of a bridge can have width, height or other dimensional restrictions indicated by traffic signs.

What is a movable bridge?

A movable bridge is a bridge that can open, lift, swing or otherwise move to allow ships or other traffic to pass beneath or through it.

What should you do when a movable bridge is opening?

Stop when required by the traffic lights, barriers or other signals and remain behind the designated stopping point until the crossing is reopened.

Can bridges become slippery?

Yes. Bridge surfaces can become wet, icy or slippery and may sometimes cool differently from the surrounding road. Drivers should adapt their speed to the actual conditions.

Can strong winds be dangerous on a bridge?

Yes. Exposed bridges can be affected by crosswinds, particularly for motorcycles, bicycles, high-sided vehicles and vehicles towing trailers.

Can you stop or park on a bridge?

This depends on the local traffic rules, road layout and signs. Stopping or parking may be prohibited where it would create danger, obstruct traffic or reduce the available road width.

Can pedestrians and cyclists use a bridge?

Yes, where permitted. Bridges may provide pavements, cycle paths or shared facilities, while high-speed or restricted bridges may prohibit certain road users.

Can traffic be restricted to one direction on a narrow bridge?

Yes. Priority signs, traffic lights or other traffic-management measures may control which direction passes first where two-way traffic cannot safely meet.

Should you overtake on a narrow bridge?

Only when overtaking is legal and clearly safe. Limited width or visibility can make overtaking inappropriate even where no specific prohibition is shown.

1 Canada 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 Toll road 10 One-way traffic 11 Bus lane 12 Bus stop 13 Dead end 14 Stop sign 15 Give way 16 Roundabout 17 Road narrowing 18 Pedestrian crossing 19 Railway crossing 20 Mandatory direction 21 Turn prohibition 22 School area 23 Crossing animals 24 Slippery road 25 Rockfall 26 Curve 27 Wrong-way driving 28 Roadworks 29 Height limit 30 Weight limit 31 Radar speed sign 32 Selective barriers 33 Priority at the next junction 34 Traffic lights 35 Traffic lights warning 36 Pedestrian lights 37 All-way stop 38 Emergency telephone 39 No parking 40 No stopping 41 Parallel parking 42 Disabled parking 43 Traffic management 44 Reversing 45 U-turn 46 Detour 47 Uncontrolled crossroad 48 Road surface 49 Emergency lane 50 Provisional licence 51 City limit 52 Road closed 53 Licence plate 54 Charging station 55 Pedestrian 56 Bus 57 Police 58 Ambulance 59 Taxi 60 Tailgating 61 Pothole 62 Path 63 Particulates 64 Air pollution 65 Rush hour 66 Road code 67 Reversible lane 68 Street gutter 69 Cargo bike 70 Forestry vehicle 71 Construction vehicle 72 Semi-trailer truck 73 Trolleybus 74 Speed pedelec 75 Delivery vehicle 76 Idling 77 Tow truck 78 Four-wheel drive 79 Bicycle 80 Motorcycle equipment 81 Rail track 82 Caravan 83 Trailer 84 Tow hitch 85 Fire truck 86 Siren 87 Convoy 88 Emergency vehicle lighting 89 Agricultural machinery 90 Electric bicycle 91 Electric vehicle 92 Pedelec 93 Quadricycle 94 Microcar 95 All-terrain vehicle 96 Van 97 Recreational vehicle 98 Scooter 99 Trikke 100 Personal mobility device ...