| High Level Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Edmonton's High Level Bridge across the North Saskatchewan River, with the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and pedestrian bridge in front. |
|
| Carries | 109 Street, High Level Street Car |
| Crosses | North Saskatchewan River |
| Locale | Canada municipality of Edmonton |
| Design | Phillips B. Motley, CPR |
| Longest span | 777 m (2,550 feet) |
| Total length | 877 m (2,877 feet) |
| Width | 2 vehicular lanes, one-way |
| Opening date | June 2, 1913 |
| Destruction date | N/A |
| Coordinates | 53°31′50″N 113°30′40″W / 53.5305°N -113.5111°ECoordinates: 53°31′50″N 113°30′40″W / 53.5305°N -113.5111°E |
The High Level Bridge, opened in 1913, spans the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta. Located next to the Alberta Legislature Building, the bridge linked the then-separate communities of Edmonton and Strathcona. It was designed from the outset to accommodate rail, streetcar, automobile and pedestrian traffic. The Canadian Pacific Railway, responsible for the design of the bridge, ceased rail operations over the span in 1989. The bridge was designated a Municipal Historic Resource in 1995[1]. Trucks are prohibited on the bridge due to the low clearance of 3.2 m (10'6") and substandard lane width.
In 1980, the "Great Divide Waterfall," by artist Peter Lewis, was added to the structure for Alberta's 75th Anniversary. This man-made waterfall drops 45 metres (150 feet) from the top of the bridge into the North Saskatchewan below, and operates during holiday weekends in the summer months.[2]
Extensive repairs and the addition and widening of pedestrian sidewalks were completed in 1994-95. The original lead paint on the bridge was carefully removed and over 100,000 litres of paint were used to recoat the girders.[3]
Currently the upper level is the property of the Province of Alberta, so as to allow for the future high speed rail link transportation corridor to have access to downtown.
The Edmonton-area Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer uses a rivet hammer purportedly used in the bridge's construction as part of its ceremony.
High Level Bridge Street Car
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It has been suggested that High Level Streetcar be merged into this article or section. (Discuss) |
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Between Victoria day weekend in May, and Thanksgiving weekend in October, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society offers trips across the top of the High Level bridge on one of three electric streetcars. The ride begins in old Strathcona, and travels over the bridge to downtown along the Ribbon of Steel parkway. During Summer festivals such as the Fringe, service is extended to accommodate the increase in crowds.
References
Edmonton’s High Level Bridge by Lawrence Herzog
- ^ Alberta Register Historic Places - High Level Bridge
- ^ "The Great Divide Waterfall" (in English). City of Edmonton. http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/attractions/natural_attractions/the-great-divide-waterfall.aspx. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
- ^ "High Level Bridge - Edmonton, Alberta" (in English). Waymark. http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM29PT. Retrieved on 2009-04-19.
External links
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