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
CarriesMotor Vehicles, Pedestrians
CrossesThe Red River
LocaleSelkirk, Manitoba, Canada
OwnerProvince of Manitoba
Characteristics
DesignVertical-lift bridge
History
DesignerArthur J. Taunton
Constructed byMacaw 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
  • The Selkirk Lift Bridge during the 2009 Red River Flood
  • The view of the bridge from Veterans Memorial Park, at Selkirk
  • Side view of the bridge

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Betts, Don. "Site 07: Selkirk Bridge". Red River North Heritage. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Longbottom, Ellie (2022-01-07). "The Selkirk Lift Bridge". Selkirk Museum. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  3. ^ a b Betts, Don (2011-08-08). "Bridge Across the River at Selkirk". Red River North Heritage. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  4. ^ a b c d e "The historic landmarks of Selkirk, Manitoba". www.winnipegregionalrealestatenews.com. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
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