User:Cattywampus23/Selkirk Lift Bridge
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Selkirk Lift Bridge is a Vertical-Lift Bridge in Selkirk, Manitoba spanning the Red River.[1] The Canadian government built the bridge as a work relief project during the Great Depression.[1][2]
Selkirk Lift Bridge | |
---|---|
Carries | Motor Vehicles, Pedestrians |
Crosses | The Red River |
Locale | Selkirk, Manitoba, Canada |
Owner | Province of Manitoba |
Characteristics | |
Design | Vertical-lift bridge |
History | |
Designer | Arthur J. Taunton |
Constructed by | Macaw and Macdonalds, Dominion Bridge of Montreal |
Construction cost | $250,000 |
History
[edit]Necessity for the bridge
[edit]Before 1934, the residents of Selkirk, and the nearby rural municipality of St. Clements wished to have a bridge connecting the two towns, instead of relying on a busy ferry service to traverse the Red River.[2][3] However, in 1934, the Canadian government alloted $40 million to a national infrastructure program to uplift workers unemploed due to the Great Depression.[1] Arthur J. Taunton, an assistant engineer for the Federal Department of Public Works of Winnipeg placed the location of the bridge in Eaton Avenue, in Selkirk.[2] However, the Province of Manitoba refused to fund the project, forcing the bridge to act as a toll bridge, and a petition against the formation of a toll bridge was sent to the government in June 16, 1936.[1]
Ownership and construction
[edit]Macaw and Macdonalds were chosen as the contractors for the project, the superstructure was awarded to Dominion Bridge of Winnipeg, and in March 31, 1935, the bridge was constructed at a cost of $250,000.[1][4] As the bridge was being built, no government entity wished to take ownership of the bridge, as that would mean purchasing for its cost and maintenance.[4] Due to confusion and unwillingness to own and operate the bridge, the bridge was raised above its deck to deter any crossing, and timbers were placed across the bridge.[1][2] A local man named Ed Maloony lowered the bridge, and opened it to traffic.[2] Later, the bridge was raised by a bit allowing only pedestrians to cross and disabling vehicles to go through the bridge, but was later lowered again.[2] The bridge was administered by the Rural Municipality of St. Clements, Selkirk, but ownership was transferred to the Province of Manitoba when the bridge was converted into Provincial Road 204.[3][1]
Closure and reopening
[edit]During the 1970s, due to the age of the bridge, multiple repairs were completed on the bridge.[2][4] In the year 1990, an official of the Provincial Highways Department described the bridge's condition as being in a "disgraceful condition".[2][4] On January 6th, 1992, the bridge closed for repairs woth $2.8 million, and was reoponed on September 12, 1992.[2][4]
Image gallery
[edit]-
The deck of the bridge
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The Selkirk Lift Bridge during the 2009 Red River Flood
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The view of the bridge from Veterans Memorial Park, at Selkirk
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Side view of the bridge
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g Betts, Don. "Site 07: Selkirk Bridge". Red River North Heritage. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Longbottom, Ellie (2022-01-07). "The Selkirk Lift Bridge". Selkirk Museum. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
- ^ a b Betts, Don (2011-08-08). "Bridge Across the River at Selkirk". Red River North Heritage. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
- ^ a b c d e "The historic landmarks of Selkirk, Manitoba". www.winnipegregionalrealestatenews.com. Retrieved 2022-07-04.