Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge Size report
The Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge, also known as the "Alexander Bridge" or "Interprovincial Bridge," connects Ottawa, Ontario, with Gatineau, Quebec. Construction began in 1898 and was completed in 1900. It is one of the most important bridges in Canada. This steel frame bridge is not only famous for its long history but also attracts attention for its unique structure and size.
The first locomotive crossed the Alexander Bridge on December 12, 1900. The name was changed in September 1901 to the "Royal Alexandra Bridge" in honor of the new Queen, the wife of Edward VII. The ownership of this bridge was transferred to the National Capital Commission in 1970, and Public Works Canada now owns it.
Little-known history is that the bridge was the site of a famous murder on August 21, 1989. It has to be said that this ancient bridge has witnessed the development and changes of these two cities. Let's learn more about the size of this bridge in the following article.
Description of Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge Size
The Alexander Bridge is a steel truss cantilever bridge that spans the Ottawa River. The bridge was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway between 1898 and 1900. Its original role was to carry CPR trains and had a track for the trolleybus between Ottawa and Hull and a transport lane. In the late 1950s, the bridge was upgraded to carry vehicles and pedestrians. Ottawa Union Station was closed in 1966, the last train passed the Royal Alexandra Interprovincial Bridge, and the railway track was removed later.
The bridge is divided into three lanes, two for vehicles and another dedicated to bicycles and pedestrians. Although it has been through a hundred years, it is still one of Ontario's and Quebec's most important traffic routes. On both sides of the bridge are several of Canada's most important museums, such as the Canadian Museum of Civilization, the National Gallery of Canada, the Canadian Mint, and the Canadian War Museum.
Dimensions of the Alexander Bridge
The bridge is 563.27 meters (1,848 feet) long, 18.89 meters (62 feet) wide, and has a maximum span of 172 meters (556 feet). About 15,000 vehicles, 2,000 pedestrians, and 1,300 bicycles pass through it daily. It is a famous bridge in Canada.
| Quick Facts | Size |
|---|---|
| Total Length | 563.27 m (1,848 ft) |
| Width | 18.89 m (62 ft) |
| Height | 28.95 m (95 ft) |
| Longest Span | 172.21 m (556 ft) |
| Number of Span | 3 |
Conclusion
The Alexander Bridge is one of Canada's oldest and most significant heritage bridges. Although it carries only 9% of cross-river road traffic, it is the busiest Ottawa-Gatineau pedestrian and cycling link. As it operated for nearly a century, the bridge inevitably suffered several serious defects, including corroded steel structures, dilapidated piers, and decks. The Canadian government has also carried out several repairs in recent years to ensure the stability and safety of the bridge.
