Chaudière Bridge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chaudière Bridge (French: Pont de la Chaudière) crosses the Ottawa River about 1 km (0.6 mile) west of Parliament Hill, joining the communities of Gatineau, Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario, linking Rue Eddy in the Hull sector of Gatineau and Booth Street in Ottawa. The bridge actually consists of multiple spans, crossing over Chaudière and Victoria Islands.
The bridge passes through the E.B. Eddy complex adjacent to the Chaudière Falls, from which the bridge gets its name.
[edit] History
It is the oldest bridge in the National Capital Region and was originally called "Union Bridge". It was first constructed in 1828 by Colonel By to link Wrightville (later renamed Hull) with the construction site of the Rideau Canal. While the main span was a wooden arch, stone arches were also used for the smaller spans. This bridge collapsed in 1836. A ferry service was temporary used until a new bridge was completed in 1844. This was a suspension bridge until 1889 when it was again rebuilt using steel truss construction. The current bridge was built by the Dominion Bridge Company in 1919.
 The first bridge with its main wooden arch (1827). |
 The second version, a suspension bridge (1845). |
 The third version under construction, a steel truss bridge (1892). |
