Abstract: This invention relates generally to a drawbridge apparatus for reversibly spanning from a first base to a second base, and more particularly to a cantilever drawbridge with an initial vertical motion of the bridge deck then a sliding or horizontal-linear motion of the said bridge deck. The invention herein described effectively overcomes the problem of the adjacent first bridge approach obstructing the sliding movement of a sliding drawbridge. This is achieved by an initial vertical motion lifting the bridge deck until it effectively clears the first adjacent bridge approach thereby allowing the sliding the bridge deck to slide over said first adjacent bridge approach. A lifting mechanism and a sliding mechanism are included in the design to provide the apparatus the means to move the bridge deck vertically and horizontally.