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50 of Western Canada's
longest railway bridges
existing today (both
active and abandoned) relative to Alberta railway bridges
and particularly to the Mintlaw viaduct
major update with additions Apr. 2022
Photo
descriptions and credits at bottom of page.
Unfortunately, there
is no inventory of railway bridges in Canada, making it difficult to
accurately determine where the longest or highest active or
abandoned bridges are in the country. However, there are some
significant bridges in Western Canada of note to compare to those in
Alberta. This list is by no means complete so cannot be taken as a
comprehensive list of the longest bridges in Western Canada. Bridges
in Alberta highlighted. For highest bridges, see
28 Highest Bridges
Longest
bridges
 1. Lethbridge Viaduct
Alberta
- CPR, active, 1,624 m (5,331'), steel
trestle
- Built 1908-09 over Oldman River by CPR
- longest and highest railway bridge in
North America (known locally as the High Level Bridge - not to be
confused with the High Level Bridge in Edmonton (see below));
longest and highest steel rail trestle in the world; CPR steel
trestle 5,331 ft. (1,624 m) long; 314' (95.7 m) high; built
1908-09 over Oldman River on Crowsnest Pass line at cost of $1.3
million using travelling crane built on site; relocated route
replaced several wooden trestles including one that was 2,933 ft.
(894 m) long, reduced grade and was over 5 miles shorter than
original route (built 1898); 33-tower bridge consists of 44-67'
spans, 22-99' spans and 1-107' truss span; still in use - approx. 12
trains per day
2. John Fox
Viaduct Mount Macdonald BC
- CPR, active, 1,229 m (4,032'), elevated deck steel girder
and concrete piers
- Built 1985-87 by CPR
- 44 concrete piers; 45-27 m (89') steel spans. Located between
Revelstoke and Golden on the east slope of the Selkirk Mountains in
Glacier National Park near Rogers Pass. Part of Rogers Pass Project,
an additional 34.8 km (21.6 mile) track alignment that was the
largest CPR capacity expansion since the building of the
transcontinental railway in the 1880s. The project included the
9-mile Mount Macdonald Tunnel, the longest tunnel in the Americas.
The bridge is currently used mostly for westbound trains.
Mountain subdivision of Revelstoke Division.
 3.
Outlook CPR Bridge, Saskatchewan
- CPR, abandoned, last train 1987, 916 m (3,004'), deck truss
- built 1912 over South Saskatchewan River by CPR
- Original bridge built in 1887 and rebuilt in 1912. 914 m (3,004') long,
46 m (150') high over the South Saskatchewan River; steel sections relocated from bridge over St. Lawrence River
at Lachine, Quebec; includes 8 main spans of 74 m (242') each, 19
approach spans; became part
of the Trans Canada Trail in 2004 and became known as Sky Trail - Canada's
longest pedestrian bridge. However, structural issues have closed
the bridge until remedied. Municipal Heritage Site 2014
4. Wapiti
River near Grande Prairie Alberta
- CNR, active, 853 m
(2,800'), steel trestle
- Built 1968-69 over Wapiti River by ARR
- 2nd longest steel trestle in Canada; approx. 853 (2,800 ft.) long
steel bridge; 58 m (190 ft.) high; built 1968 by Alberta Resources Railway;
opened 1969; taken over by CNR 1994, 1-2 trains per day
5. Fabyan Viaduct near Wainwright Alberta
- CNR, active, 846 m (2,775'), steel
trestle
 -
Built 1907-08 over Battle River by GTP
- 3rd longest
steel trestle in Canada. 846 m (2,775 ft.) long; 59 m (195') tall; built 1907-08
over Battle River by Grand Trunk Pacific; originally about 130'
longer but earth filled on one end to reduce length; 26 steel
towers; first train 1909; rest area nearby; scene of derailment in
January 2012; still in use by CN as part of east-west main line
linking Winnipeg with Edmonton
6.
Fraser River CNR Bridge, Prince George, BC
- CNR, active, 810 m (2,659'), combination road and rail truss
- Built 1914-15 over Fraser River by GTP
- Longest rail bridge in B.C. Combination road and rail truss bridge over
Fraser River, 810 m (2,659 feet) long, is still an active CNR structure with
a bascule vertical lift span and 12 through truss spans. Center lift
span ceased being used in early 1920s and was fixed in place in 1954.
 7. High Level Bridge
at Edmonton Alberta
- CPR, abandoned as rail bridge 1989, now vehicles and trolleys only, last train 1989, 777 m (2,550'),
steel truss & steel trestle
- Built 1913 over North Saskatchewan River by CPR as combination
road and rail bridge
-
CPR steel truss (with trestle component) bridge 777 m (2,550 ft.) long;
48 m (157
ft.) tall;
built 1911-1913 over North Saskatchewan River linking downtown
Edmonton with south bank (old Strathcona); total of 28 spans -
3-288' Pratt trusses, 7-96' Pratt trusses, 6-47' long spans with
steel trestle towers on south side for 282' of total bridge (about
11% of length),
2-130' Warren trusses, 4 central concrete piers set in river bed; upper level used for
trains between 1913 and 1989 as well as trams (streetcars) between
1913 and 1951; lower level used for vehicle and
pedestrian traffic that continues today; tram runs periodically
during summer on upper level since 1997 by Edmonton Radial Railway
Society; Great Divide Waterfall 1980; bridge now owned by Province of Alberta;
Municipal Historic Resource
8. Rochfort Trestle near Mayerthorpe Alberta
- CNR, active, 736 m (2,414'), timber
trestle
- Built 1914 over Paddle River and Hwy.43 by CNoR
- Longest
wood trestle in North America; 736 m (2,414 ft.) long, 33.5 m (110
ft.) tall; built by Canadian Northern Railway; periodic upgrades; two short portions replaced by steel,
one over Highway 43 (the Alaska Highway); still
in use periodically by CN
9. New Westminster Bridge
(Fraser River Swing Bridge), BC
- Government of Canada, active, 732 m (2,400') operated by CNR,
combination road and rail
- Built 1904 over Fraser River
- Trackage rights CPR, Southern Railway of BC, BNSF, Amtrak and Via
Rail. Connects New Westminster with Surrey BC, originally built with
two decks (lower deck for trains, upper deck for vehicles).
Upper deck removed in 1937. 4 spans
10. Second Narrows Rail Bridge BC
- CNR, active, 663 m (2,175'), built 1968 over Burrard Inlet
Vancouver
- Vertical lift 500' span and 7 Pratt through truss approach spans.
One of longest lift spans in Canada. Replaced original 1925 Second
Narrows bridge designed for trains and vehicles with Bascule draw
bridge and center lift span connects Vancouver with the North Shore.
11. Mintlaw Viaduct south of Red Deer Alberta
 -
CPR, abandoned 1983, last train 1981,
644 m (2,112'), steel trestle
- Built 1911-12 over Red Deer River by ACR
-
Longest bridge in Central Alberta; 2nd
longest CPR steel trestle of its type in Alberta at 644 m (2,112 ft.) long;
33.5 m (110 ft.) tall;
4th longest steel trestle of any railway in Alberta;
3rd longest CPR bridge in Alberta still standing although only the
one in Lethbridge is still active as a rail bridge. Length includes 2 truss spans over river with wood trestle abutments
on each end; bridge includes 15-75' spans, 15-45' spans and 2-150' truss spans; built 1911-12 over Red Deer River by Alberta Central Railway/CPR;
last train 1981, abandoned 1983; purchased by Red Deer County 2009
for $1
as a heritage site, important landmark and part of possible future
recreational trail; former Alberta Central subdivision
more about the
Mintlaw Bridge
and
Alberta Central Railway
12. Meikle River Bridge
Alberta
- CNR, active, 610 m (2,000'), steel trestle
- Built 1969 over Peace River by GSLR
- Steel trestle built by the Great Slave Lake Railway,
operated and now owned by Canadian National Railways, built 1969
about 90
miles north of Peace River. Line sold to RailLink in 1998 and bought
back by CN in 2006.
13. Nipawin Crooked Bridge, Saskatchewan
- CPR, active, 581 m (1,907'), Built 1929-30 over
Saskatchewan River by CP, combination road and rail
- Double deck steel
trestle and deck truss bridge with 16 ft. roadway on level beneath
tracks built in 1929-30 by CPR over Saskatchewan River at Nipawin in
northeast Saskatchewan.
14. Monarch Trestle Alberta
- CPR, active, 576 m (1,890'), steel trestle
- Built 1908-09 over Oldman River by CPR
- over Oldman River, 576 m (1,890 ft.) long; 45.7 m (150 ft.) high; west of Monarch on
Crow's Nest line built 1908-09 (same line as Lethbridge Viaduct)
15.
Mission Rail Bridge, BC
- CPR, active, 533 m (1,750')
- Built 1909 over Fraser River by CPR to replace 1891 bridge built
by CPR
- active CPR 14-span 533 m (1,750-foot) bridge with active swing span
with 4.9 m clearance when closed over Fraser River; bridge links Mission
and Abbotsford BC
 16. Peace River Rail
Bridge Alberta
- CNR, active, 529 m (1,736'), steel truss
- Built 1918 over Peace River by CCR
- over Peace River at town of Peace River, 529 m (1,736 ft.); built
1918 by Central Canada Railway (later part of Northern Alberta
Railways); 11 spans - 2-70' deck plate girders, 2-80' deck plate
girders; 6-200' deck trusses, 1-200' through truss; still in use by CNR
 17. Clover Bar
Rail Bridge at Edmonton Alberta
- CNR, active, 504 m (1,655'), truss, trestle and concrete
- Built 1907-08 over North Saskatchewan River by GTP
- Sometimes referred to as the Beverly Bridge before Beverly
traffic bridge opened in 1953 over North Saskatchewan River at east
Edmonton, 504 m (1,655 ft.) long, 42 m (138 ft.) high; built 1907-08
iron truss with concrete piers and trestle towers by Grand Trunk Pacific
18. Uno CNR Bridge, near
Russell, Manitoba
- CNR, active, 467 m (1,533'), steel trestle
- Built 1929 by CNR over Minnewashtack Creek to replace 1,573'
timber bridge built in 1907 by GTP
- near Russell, Manitoba; 467 m (1,533 feet) long over Minnewashtack
Creek, 35 m (115 ft). high; original timber bridge built by Grand
Trunk Pacific; NNR main line with approx. 24 trains/day
19. Fenton CNR Bridge, Saskatchewan
south of Prince Albert
- CNR, active, 465 m (1,527'), steel truss
- Built 1982 by CNR over South Saskatchewan River to replace timber
bridge built in 1906 by CNoR
- originally built in 1906 by
Canadian Northern as a timber bridge over the South Saskatchewan
River near Prince Albert, it was rebuilt in 1982 by Canadian
National with the centre section replaced by 5 steel truss spans
each 93 m (225 feet) for a total length of 465 m (1,527 feet) long; CPR has trackage rights; still
active
20. Grand Trunk Bridge Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- CNR, active, 457 m (1,500'), steel truss
- Built 1908 over South Saskatchewan
River by GTP
- built
by Grand Trunk Pacific Railway (forerunner of Canadian National
Railways); steel truss bridge 457 m (1,500 feet) long over South
Saskatchewan River; part of CN main line between Winnipeg and
Edmonton; links downtown with railyard.
21.
Beaver River Bridge near Grand Centre Alberta
- CNR, abandoned 1999, rail trail, 450 m (1,485'), timber trestle
- Built 1931, re-built 1950 over Beaver River by CNR
- combination timber trestle, truss and girder 450 m (1,485 ft.) long;
59 m (195 ft.) tall, built around 1950 by Canadian National Railways,
abandoned 1999. Now part of the Iron Horse Trail section of the
Trans Canada Trail
22. McCloy Creek Bridge, Meskanaw, Saskatchewan
- CNR, abandoned 1981, last train 1979, 406 m (1,333'), timber
trestle
- Built 1929 over McCloy Creek by CNR
- Canadian National
Railways 406 m (1,333 feet) bridge over McCloy Creek; Saskatchewan's longest
wooden trestle; abandoned between 1979 and 1981; 15' m (49 ft.)
high; Maskunow is Cree for Trail
23. St. Louis GTP Bridge
Saskatchewan
- CNR, abandoned 1983, 381 m (1,250'), steel truss
- built 1914-15 over South
Saskatchewan River by GTP
- 5 steel trusses, 100' center span Pratt truss to allow for river
traffic, traffic attachments 1928, rail abandoned 1983, bridge
closed to traffic 2014, currently historic landmark south of Prince
Albert
24. Ardley Bridge north of Delburne
Alberta
-
CNR, active, 366 m (1,200'), steel truss
- Built 1911 over Red Deer River by GTP, re-built 1955 by CNR
 - CNR wood and steel trestle
built 1911 by Grand Trunk Pacific over Red Deer River; originally
457 m (1,500 ft.) long; 48 m (158 ft.) tall. With fill at each end,
current length closer to 366 m (1,200 ft.). Bridge washed out in
mid-1910s and centre portion was replaced with 2 steel towers and 3
steel spans. It washed out again in 1952; rebuilt and reopened in
1955; bridge replaced with 6 steel towers and 3 steel truss spans
with wood trestle on each end. Located near Delburne on Three Hills
subdivision of the Edmonton-Calgary line, now the only Canadian
National Railway link between the two major Alberta cities. 2-4
trains daily.
25. Columbia River CPR
Bridge at Revelstoke, BC
- CPR, active, 342 m (1,122'), deck plate steel truss
- Built 1968 (4th bridge) over
Columbia River by CPR
- active CPR bridge across the Columbia
River 342 m (1,122 feet) long. Original bridge was timber built in 1885.
Second bridge built around 1887, third 1907. Current 1968 bridge has
four 150' deck plate
girders and seven 75' deck plate girders. Shuswap sub
26. CPR Bridge Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
- CPR, active, 341 m (1,120'), steel truss
- Built 1908 over South Saskatchewan
River by CPR
- Canadian
Pacific Railway bridge over South Saskatchewan River on secondary
line between Winnipeg and Edmonton; original temporary timber bridge
built in 1907 at 1,252 feet
long, new 1908 bridge includes 8 steel truss spans of 125 feet on
concrete piers and is now
listed at 341 m (1,120) feet likely due to some fill at either end;
height 19.5 m (64 ft.); bridge includes
pedestrian walkway built 1909.
27. Canadian
Northern Bridge, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
- Carlton Trail Railway since 1997, active, 341 m (1,119'),
combination road and rail steel truss
- Built 1909 over North Saskatchewan River by CNoR
- built by Canadian Northern
Railway as combination rail and road bridge; 341 m (1,119 foot) long 7-span truss bridge
including 3-146' spans, 2-156' spans and a 256' swing span over North Saskatchewan
River; swing span ceased operating 1939; road portion closed 1960;
operated by Carlton Trail shortline Railway (OmniTRAX) since 1997;
CTR also has functional turntable and roundhouse
28. Medicine
Hat Bridge Alberta
- CPR, active, 298 m (977'), steel truss
- Built over South Saskatchewan River by CPR
- Originally a single track truss bridge built in 1883-84 over South
Saskatchewan River; rebuilt using portions of the original stone
pylons and twinned in early 1900s; CPR 2-150' Warren through truss
spans and 6 approach through girder spans; 298 m (977') total length
29. South Thompson River
Bridge at Kamloops BC
- CNR, active, 285 m (935'), plate girder with swing span,
- Built 1927 over South Thompson River by CNR
- 5 deck plate girder, 4 through plate girder, 1 208' through truss
swing span. Okanagan sub
30. Anderson Creek/River Bridge near Boston Bar, BC
- CNR, active, 279 m (914'), steel trestle
- Built 1914 over Anderson Creek in
the Fraser Canyon by CNoR
- Canadian
National curved steel trestle 279 m (914 ft.) long, 34 m (112 ft.) high in Fraser
Canyon 17 deck plate girder spans on 8 steel towers
31. Entwistle Bridge west of Edmonton Alberta
- CNR, active, 280 m (910'), steel
trestle
- Built 1908-10 over Pembina River by GTP
- 5th highest railway bridge in Western Canada; CNR
steel trestle 280 m (910 ft.) long; 65 m (214') tall; built 1910
over Pembina River by Grand Trunk Pacific. Bridge was pre-fabricated
in Scotland. Located approx. 95 km west of Edmonton on CN main line
between Edmonton and Vancouver; ave. 20 trains per day.
32. Lytton CNR Fraser River
Bridge, BC
- CNR, active, 265 m (869'), steel truss
- Built 1914 over Fraser River by CNoR (one of 2 crossings in Lytton
area)
- CNR deck truss bridge 265 (869 feet) long and 45 m (148 feet) high over Fraser River
on main CNR main line between Edmonton and Vancouver;
4 deck plate girder and 3 deck truss spans; CNR and CPR operate on
each side of the river and generally co-operate with directional
running
33. The Pas Hudson Bay Bridge, Manitoba
- CNR, active, 259 m (850'), steel truss
- Built 1910 over Saskatchewan River by Hudson Bay Railway
- built by Hudson Bay Railway (a subsidiary of the Canadian Northern Railway)
6-span steel truss 259 m (850 feet) long in total; still in use
34. Cisco (Siska) CNR Fraser
River Bridge south of Lytton, BC
- CNR, active, 247 m (812'), steel truss and steel arch
- Built 1915 over Fraser River and CPR by CNoR (one of 2 crossings
in Lytton area)
- 425' steel truss arch span (partially orange), 6 deck
plate girder spans for total of 247 m (812 feet) long, 67 m (220 feet) high over Fraser River
south of Lytton; in close proximity to Cisco CPR Bridge; CNR and CPR
operate on each side of the river and generally co-operate with
directional running. The 2 railways exchange sides at this point.
35. Prairie Creek (Maskuta)
Bridge near Hinton Alberta
- CNR, active, 245 m (802'), steel trestle
- Built 1911 by GTP over Prairie Creek, abandoned 1916,
rehabilitated 1927 by CNR
- Originally built by Grand Trunk Pacific in 1911, the bridge was
closed in 1916 during World War I in order to use the steel rail for
the war effort, the 245 m (802') long and 30 m (98') high steel trestle
was rehabilitated in 1927 after being taken over by Canadian
National Railways to become part of the main line to the west coast.
During that time, rail traffic was diverted to the parallel Canadian
Northern Railway. The steel trestle bridge consists of six 50' long
girder sections and 7-70' girder sections; used by Via Rail.
36. West Fork Canyon Creek Trestle, near Kelowna, BC
- CPR, abandoned, last train 1973, 221 m (726'), steel trestle
- Built 1930 over Pooley Creek by CPR to replace 1924 bridge built
by KVR
-
abandoned curved 221 m (726') long and 55 m (180') high 12-span steel trestle built
by Canadian Pacific in 1930 at Pooley Creek to replace wooden trestle
on Kettle Valley Railway built in 1914. Last train 1973. Longest and
highest of 18 trestles that collectively span over 1,372 m (4,500') in Myra
Canyon; used in filming of Pierre Burton's 'National Dream' TV
series; purchased by BC government 1990. Twelve of the wooden
trestles were destroyed by forest fire in 2003, the same year they
were designated as a National Historic Site. The timber bridges were
all rebuilt by 2008. One of the original sections of the Trans
Canada Trail. Also known as Trestle #6.
37. North Saskatchewan River Bridge at Rocky Mountain House
Alberta
 -
CNR, active, 220 m (720'), steel truss and trestle
- Built 1911-14 over North Saskatchewan River by ACR
- 220 m (720') long, approx 16 m (52') high; combination trestle,
truss and girder with concrete piers including 3-75' spans, 3-45'
spans and 2-150' truss spans; built 1911 by Alberta Central
Railway/CPR; leased to Canadian Northern Western Railway/CNR; opened
1914; still
in use by CNR; Brazeau subdivision
38. Low Level Bridge
Edmonton Alberta
- CNR, now vehicles only, last train 1948, 213 m (699')
- Built 1900-02 over North Saskatchewan River by CNoR
- 699' long Canadian Northern 3-span truss bridge built 1900; rails
added in 1902 and removed 1948; twinned and continues to be used for
vehicle traffic
39. Stoney Creek
(Macdonald Track) Bridge BC
- CPR, active, 210 m (700'),
- Built 1986-88 by CPR
- 7 spans. Located 150 m (500') below the Stoney Creek
(Connaught track) Bridge between Revelstoke and Golden on the east
slope of the Selkirk Mountains in Glacier National Park near Rogers
Pass. Part of Rogers Pass Project, an additional 34.8 km (21.6 mile)
track alignment that was the largest CPR capacity expansion since
the building of the transcontinental railway in the 1880s. The
project included the 9-mile Mount Macdonald Tunnel, the longest
tunnel in the Americas. The bridge is currently used for heavier
westbound trains at a 1% grade while lighter eastbound trains use
the steeper (2.2% grade) and older Stoney Creek (Connaught Track)
bridge. Mountain subdivision of Revelstoke Division.
40. Rivers CNR Bridge, Manitoba
- CNR, active, 208 m (684'), built 1909 by GTP
- near Brandon over Minnedosa (Little Saskatchewan) River, 208 m (684 feet) long,
27.7 m (91 feet) high.
41. Burbank Bridge near Blackfalds
Alberta
 -
CNR, active, 190 m (620'), steel truss
- Built 1910 over Blindman River by CNWR
- originally a wood trestle north of Red Deer built by Canadian Northern Western
Railway over Blindman River 1910; replaced by steel truss bridge
with wooden trestle ends; two center spans supported by concrete
towers; original length unknown; with
considerable fill, current length around 190 m (620 ft.), est.
height 36 m (118'); still in use by CNR,
Brazeau subdivision
 42. Briggs Bridge near
Red Deer Alberta
- CNR, active, 200 m (656'), timber trestle
- Built 1910 over ravine by CNWR
- wood trestle northwest of Red Deer built by Canadian Northern
Western Railway 1910; originally about 820 ft. but after earth
infill is currently around 200m, still in use by CNR, Brazeau
subdivision
43. Kinsol Trestle, BC
- CNR, abandoned 1980, 188 m (617'), curved timber trestle
- Built 1920 over Koksilah River by CNR
- also known as the Koksilah River Trestle, it is one of the world's
largest all-wooden trestles. Located on Vancouver Island near
Shawnigan Lake, 188 m (617 feet) long, 44 m (145 feet) high, last
train was in 1979. Rehabilitated in 2011 and is now part of Trans Canada Trail
44a. Athabasca Bridge
at Solomon Creek
near Hinton Alberta
- CNR, active, 183 m (600'), deck girder
- Built 1927 over Athabasca River by CNR
- CNR bridge over Athabasca River at Solomon Creek built 1927 to connect
former Canadian Northern and Grand Trunk Pacific lines near Jasper
Park close to small community of Entrance.
44b. Mountain Creek
Bridge BC
- CPR, active, 183 m (600'), concrete beam on steel tower
- Built 1978 in Beaver River valley Connaught track by CPR
- 3rd structure at this location between Revelstoke and Golden on
the east slope of the Selkirk Mountains in Glacier National Park
near Rogers Pass. This bridge is 183 m (600') long, 41.5 m (136')
high replacing a similar length steel truss and girder structure
built in 1902. Original 1885 bridge was 331 m (1086') long, 50 m
(164') high - at the time one of the longest timber trestles in the
world. (Some sources suggest that the original bridge was longer
(1200') and higher (175'-300') but these dimensions seem unlikely).
Mountain sub
46a. Heart River Bridge at
Peace River Alberta
- CNR, active, 180 m (590'), steel trestle
- Built 1916 over Peace River by CCR
- Former Northern Alberta Railways steel
trestle prior to CNR purchase, it was built in 1916 by Central
Canada Railway. 180 m (590'), 45 m (146') high. 11 short (45') plate
girder spans and 115' deck truss
46b. Thompson CNR
Bridge near Lytton, BC
- CNR, active, 180 m (590'), steel deck truss
- deck truss
bridge 590 feet long over Thompson River
 48. East Coulee Coal
Bridge Alberta
- CPR, abandoned, 165 m (540'), timber truss
- Built 1936 over Red Deer River by CPR
- CPR timber Howe truss combination rail and road bridge over Red
Deer River; used by both CPR and CNR to serve Atlas and Monarch coal
mines; 540'; 4 spans; originally built in 1936; damaged by ice, flood and
intentional blast in 1948 and rebuilt to same design; last of its
kind still standing (barely) similar to original Calgary & Edmonton
Railway bridge at Red Deer; abandoned in the mid 1970s and is
currently in poor
condition waiting for possible restoration
49. Cisco CPR near Lytton, BC
- CPR, active, 159 m (520'), steel truss
- active CPR 3-span truss
bridge 520 feet long over Fraser River
50. Stoney Creek
(Connaught Track) Bridge BC
- CPR, active, 148 m (486'), steel truss arch bridge
- Built 1893-94 (strengthened 1929) over Stoney Creek by CPR
- Second highest, at 84 m (275') (only Lethbridge Viaduct
higher), and most picturesque bridge on CPR located between
Revelstoke and Golden on the east slope of the Selkirk Mountains in
Glacier National Park near Rogers Pass. Additional truss arches
positioned beside the existing 102 m (336') arch strengthened the
bridge in 1929. Deck plate girders replaced the original deck
lattice girders at the same time in order to handle heavier trains.
The bridge replaced the original 1884 timber Howe truss bridge which
at the time was the highest timber bridge ever built at approx. 90
m. On a 2.2% grade, the bridge is currently used for mostly lighter
eastbound traffic while heavier westbound trains use the newer
Stoney Creek (Macdonald Track) bridge built in 1988, 150 m (500')
lower in the ravine. Located on the east slope of the Selkirk
Mountains on the Mountain subdivision of Revelstoke Division.
Some of the highest significant bridges of Western Canada can be
found
here.
Other bridges of
note:
CPR Bridge at Red Deer Alberta
 -
CPR, abandoned 1991, 137 m (450'), steel truss
- Built 1908 over Red Deer River by CPR
-
two 150' steel truss spans and 150' wooden trestle across Red Deer
River built in 1908 to replace the wooden truss bridge of 3-100'
spans that had been built in 1891; abandoned with rail relocation in
1991; preserved as part of walking and bicycle trail and designated
as both a municipal and provincial historic resource; currently in
use as part of Trans Canada Trail.
Note: there is the remnants of another bridge in northern Manitoba,
the Port Nelson bridge, 2,380 ft. long, consisting of 17
truss spans, each 140' long. It was built in 1917 as part of the
proposed Hudson Bay Railway across the Nelson River. Port Nelson was
abandoned in 1927 in favour of Churchill as the preferred port and
the northern terminus of the railway. Although much of the bridge is
still standing, it has deteriorated to the point of no longer being
intact in a number of places.
Webmaster note: Anyone who has more information on these or other
significant railway bridges in Western Canada, I would be interested
in hearing from you.
Contact me at
info@forthjunction.com
Significant rail bridges in rest of Canada:
Salmon River Valley Trestle near Grand Falls NB 3920 ft. long, 195
ft. high (51 spans)
International Bridge Buffalo NY-Fort Erie Ont. 3652 ft. long (1,113
m)
Victoria Bridge at Montreal built by GTR 1859 2,009 m
Photo
descriptions and credits:
Longest
1. CPR Lethbridge Steel Viaduct (Paul Pettypiece 2015);
3. CPR Outlook Saskatchewan (railtrail) (source unknown);
4. CNR Wapiti River Bridge near Grande Prairie (William Vavrek);
5. CNR Fabyan Steel Viaduct near Wainwright (Paul Pettypiece 2015);
7. CPR High Level Bridge Edmonton 1st train June 1913 (vehicles & trolley only) (Provincial
Archives Alberta);
8. CNR Rochfort Timber Trestle near Mayerthorpe (Trevor Sokolan 2012);
11. ACR/CPR Mintlaw steel trestle near Red Deer (abandoned) (Paul
Pettypiece 2012);
12. CNR Meikle River bridge near Peace River (Malcolm Millar 2013);
14.
CPR Monarch Steel Viaduct over Oldman River (Chris Doering 2013);
16. CNR Peace River Bridge at town of Peace River (Tim Swaren);
17. CNR Clover Bar Bridge over North Saskatchewan River near
Edmonton (Trevor Solokan);
21. CNR Beaver River Bridge near Grand Centre (railtrail) (source unknown);
24. CNR Ardley bridge over Red Deer River north of Delburne (Paul
Pettypiece 2011);
37.
CPR/CNR bridge over North Saskatchewan River at Rocky Mountain House
1940 (Red Deer Archives);
41. CNR Blindman River bridge at Burbank near Red Deer and Blackfalds
(Paul Pettypiece 2011);
42. CNR timber bridge at Briggs ravine near Red Deer (Paul Pettypiece
2011);
48. CPR East Coulee timber bridge (abandoned) (Massey Jones 1984)
Of note
CPR Red Deer River Bridge at Red Deer now part of Trans Canada Trail
(railtrail) (Paul Pettypiece 2009);
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