Traffic Bridge (Saskatoon)

Canada / Saskatchewan / Saskatoon
A promise to build Saskatoon's first traffic bridge persuaded residents of Nutana to unite with the communities of Saskatoon and Riversdale and apply for city status. Prior to the bridge's construction in 1907, Saskatoon residents either crossed the river ice in winter, rode the rather unpredictable ferry in summer, or embarked on a difficult and often dangerous walk across the QLLS railway bridge.

Officially named the Traffic Bridge but known popularly as Victoria Bridge, this was Saskatoon's first bridge that carried vehicular traffic. It was originally built for horses and carriages to cross, and later cars and buggies. An article in the local paper after the bridge opening declared that the bridge was simply too narrow to serve the needs of the community. Still the bridge was in continuous use until its final closing in 2010.

In 2005, the bridge was found to have major structural defects and was closed to vehicles. A more detailed inspection revealed that the concrete pilings holding up the bridge were still in good condition. After a year of repair work the bridge was reopened. The repairs were supposed to extend the bridge's life by about 20 years, but on August 24, 2010 it was again closed indefinitely due to corrosion. A November 2010 report by the city's infrastructure services department recommended replacing the bridge with a modern steel replica, which would include wider driving lanes. On December 6, 2010, city council voted to demolish the original bridge and build the replica. Demolition on the bridge started in October 2012.
www.saskatoon.ca/DEPARTMENTS/Infrastructure%20Services/...

By 2017, all the spans of the original bridge had been demolished. The piers were reinforced, and the structure of the new bridge was erected starting in 2017. The new bridge mimics the design of the original bridge, but is both wider and taller to accommodate larger vehicles and a shared bicycle/pedestrian path on both sides. It also has four spans instead of five, eliminating the southmost span over land. The roadways at the south end of the bridge are realigned to meet up to the new south terminus.
www.saskatoon.ca/business-development/major-projects/cu...

The rebuilt Traffic Bridge was officially opened to traffic on October 3, 2018.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatoon/the-history-of-saskato...

The Rotary International Peace Plaza and Prayer Pole, located just below the Traffic Bridge, has the words "May Peace Prevail on Earth" written on it in four languages.
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_Bridge_(Saskatoon)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   52°7'17"N   106°39'47"W

Comments

  • After the repairs, did they reopen it to traffic or is it strictly still a pedestrian bridge.
  • Yes, it was re-opened to traffic again after the repairs
  • This was also frequently called the "Black Bridge"
This article was last modified 7 years ago