Great Canadian Bridges

[TorontoDrew]

Here is a neat bit of art showing the worlds first railway suspension bridge crossing from Niagara Falls Ontario to Niagara Falls N.Y.


source: wikimedia.org
Built in 1855

[Innsertnamehere]

Technically the first bridge crossing was built in Queenston in 1851, but it collapsed only 3 years later in 1854. Eventually it was replaced in 1899, which was then replaced again with the existing Queenston Lewiston Bridge in 1962. The 1899 bridge had a wooden deck with a single streetcar track to allow interurbans to cross it:



That ones foundations can still be found in the woods overgrown and slowly decaying..

[Coldrsx]

Edmonton

https://twitter.com/JessicaNgCBC/sta...56640469012480

[J.OT13]

Progress on converting the William Commanda (formerly the Prince of Wales) Bridge for active use.

The bridge connected OC Transpo's Bayview Station with STO's UQO Station. Rails remain under the new deck for future considerations.

Originally Posted by zzptichka

highres

[Dengler Avenue]

So it’s possible to extend Line 2 beyond Bayview Station, after all.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Technically the first bridge crossing was built in Queenston in 1851, but it collapsed only 3 years later in 1854. ..

I know, I was just showing the first ever railway suspension Bridge built which came after that one.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Dengler Avenue

So it’s possible to extend Line 2 beyond Bayview Station, after all.

It would require significant work to the bridge to support trains after nearly two decades of decay, but yes. From my understanding, they are doing the minimum structural work required to make it safe for peds and cyclists.

By the time they extend Line 2, if it ever happens, they'll have to build a new deck to the side for cyclists and pedestrians (once we get that, can't take that away).

[O-tacular]

Calgary's Peace Bridge:



https://www.architectmagazine.com/te...idge-calgary_o





Michael Muraz Flickr

https://calgary.skyrisecities.com/ne...ng-bulb-change

[J.OT13]

What an awesome structure. Ours always end up pretty basic or value engineered.

Flora Foot Bridge crossing the Rideau Canal at Fifth and Clegg (not to be confused with Flora the street few blocks north-west). One of the original proposed concepts had a nice curve to it, but of course we ended up building the straight alignment. It's not bad, it's just not as cool as it could have been.




https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_Footbridge

Then you have the Adawe Bridge across the Rideau River, connecting Strathcona Park in Sandy Hill with Riverain Park in Vanier. This one was designed to be basic from the very beginning.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad%C3%A0we_Crossing

Corktown connecting Somerset Street in Centretown and uOttawa across the Rideau Canal was the first purpose-built active transportation bridge in Ottawa. It's no Peace Bridge, but it's better than the other two.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corktown_Footbridge

End of the day, these bridges serve their function, so can't complain.

[Coldrsx]

Happy 5th birthday!



https://dialogdesign.ca/news-events/...h-anniversary/

[MonctonRad]

Recent aerial photo of the Confederation Bridge, looking towards PEI in the distance:

[O-tacular]

Drove across that bridge the one time I visited the Maritimes and was completely blown away. It was almost freaky when you were on it. Is it true they didn't build it in a straight line so that drivers wouldn't get too distracted while using it?

[MonctonRad]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

Is it true they didn't build it in a straight line so that drivers wouldn't get too distracted while using it?

It was intentional, yes. Apparently if the bridge was dead straight, then it would recede to the infinity point in the far distance (it's that long), and this would be visually confusing to the driver. The curve was placed to give the driver a reference point.

Fun fact - as recently as about 8,000 years ago, you could still walk from PEI to the mainland (the Northumberland Strait didn't exist in it's entirety yet). Now the strait averages 20-70M in depth.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

Fun fact - as recently as about 8,000 years ago, you could still walk from PEI to the mainland (the Northumberland Strait didn't exist in it's entirety yet). Now the strait averages 20-70M in depth.

They really should have had the foresight to build the bridge at that time rather than waiting until after the sea levels rose. Would have been a lot easier and cheaper.

[Loco101]

It's also the world's longest bridge that crosses ice-covered water.

[Coldrsx]

The longest and highest train trestle (viaduct) in the world connecting east and west Lethbridge.

[White Pine]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Rails remain under the new deck for future considerations.

"So you're saying there's a chance?" -Joseph Potvin, 2022 (maybe)

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by White Pine

"So you're saying there's a chance?" -Joseph Potvin, 2022 (maybe)

Sure...

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

The longest and highest train trestle (viaduct) in the world connecting east and west Lethbridge.

very cool

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

It was intentional, yes. Apparently if the bridge was dead straight, then it would recede to the infinity point in the far distance (it's that long), and this would be visually confusing to the driver. The curve was placed to give the driver a reference point.

Fun fact - as recently as about 8,000 years ago, you could still walk from PEI to the mainland (the Northumberland Strait didn't exist in it's entirety yet). Now the strait averages 20-70M in depth.

Global warming, naturalich.

What dry places now will be 20-70M under water in 8000 years hence? All of Florida, I reckon. Richmond (BC). Bangladesh, etc.