Bridge and Lock Tenders

Tasks and Duties

• Move levers to activate traffic signals, navigation lights, and alarms.
• Record names, types, and destinations of vessels passing through bridge openings or locks, and numbers of trains or vehicles crossing bridges.
• Control machinery to open and close canal locks and dams, railroad or highway drawbridges, or horizontally or vertically adjustable bridges.
• Direct movements of vessels in locks or bridge areas, using signals, telecommunication equipment, or loudspeakers.
• Prepare accident reports.
• Observe approaching vessels to determine size and speed, and listen for whistle signals indicating desire to pass.
• Observe position and progress of vessels to ensure best utilization of lock spaces or bridge opening spaces.
• Maintain and guard stations in bridges to check waterways for boat traffic.
• Inspect canal and bridge equipment, and areas such as roadbeds for damage or defects, reporting problems to supervisors as necessary.
• Clean and lubricate equipment, and make minor repairs and adjustments.
• Log data such as water levels and weather conditions.
• Write and submit maintenance work requisitions.
• Perform maintenance duties such as sweeping, painting, and yard work to keep facilities clean and in order.
• Check that bridges are clear of vehicles and pedestrians prior to opening.
• Turn valves to increase or decrease water levels in locks.
• Stop automobile and pedestrian traffic on bridges, and lower automobile gates prior to moving bridges.
• Raise drawbridges and observe passage of water traffic, then lower drawbridges and raise automobile gates.
• Operate lighthouses to assist marine passage near shores and dangerous waters.
• Add and remove balance weights to bridge mechanisms as necessary.
• Attach ropes or cable lines to bitts on lock decks or wharfs to secure vessels.

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