Canso Causeway

 causeway  Add category

Opened in 1955; connects mainland Nova Scotia to Cape Breton.

The causeway crosses the Strait of Canso, connecting Cape Breton Island to the Nova Scotia peninsula. Its crest thickness is 40 m (131.2 feet), carrying the two vehicle traffic lanes of Highway 104 (the Trans-Canada Highway) as well as the single track mainline of the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway.

Constructed in an "S" shape, the causeway has a base width of 244 m (800.5 feet) in waters having a maximum depth of 65 m (213 feet).

The 24 m (78.7 feet) wide and 570 m (1,870 feet) long Canso Canal is located at the eastern end of the causeway to allow ship traffic to transit the Strait of Canso. The 94 m (308.3 feet) Canso Canal Bridge is a swing bridge which carries the road and railway line across the canal.

The word "Canso" is believed to be derived from the Mi'kmaq word kamsok, which means "opposite the lofty cliffs."

Photos: Skylar Challand, 2006

More photos:

www.flickr.com/photos/peterdewit/1296787995/
www.flickr.com/photos/cedarclose/46146425/
www.flickr.com/photos/bigasssuperstar/202030574/