Lethbridge Viaduct - A. Rafton / National Archives of Canada / PA-029691

The Lethbridge Viaduct better known as the High Level Bridge was constructed between 1907–1909 at Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada at a cost of $1,334,525. Lethbridge Viaduct Item part of: Canada. ... Lethbridge Viaduct Item part of: Canada. ... 1907 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... 1909 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... }|135px|City of Lethbridge, Alberta Coat of Arms]]}} {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Sunny South City of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada Location. ...

This massive viaduct over the Oldman River was designed by the Canadian Pacific Railway's bridge department in Montreal. The field work was directed by CPR's Assistant Chief Engineer J. E. Schwitzer. The steel work was manufactured by the Canadian Bridge Company of Walkerville, Ontario. A 100 man gang worked on the erection of the steel. Although there were some initial problems with settlement, the bridge has proved to be an enduring engineering work and is still in use today. Torontos Bloor Street Viaduct bridges the Don valley; road traffic uses the upper deck, rail traffic uses the lower deck. ... The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR; AAR reporting marks CP, CPAA, CPI), known as CP Rail between 1968 and 1996, is a Canadian Class I railway operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited. ... The Golden Gate Bridge A bridge is a structure built to span a gorge, valley, road, railroad track, river, body of water, or any other physical obstacle. ... This article needs cleanup. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Loyal it began, loyal it remains) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Area 1,076,395 km² (4th)  - Land 917,741 km²  - Water 158,654 km² (14. ...

This bridge is one of the largest railway structures in Canada. It was built as part of a major diversion of the Crowsnest Pass route between Lethbridge and Fort Macleod. The river crossing was previously over a wooden trestle measuring 2,933 feet (894 m) long and 65 feet (20 m) high; an impressive structure in its own right. Freight train, Crowsnest Pass. ... Fort Macleod is a town in the southwest of the province of Alberta, Canada. ... Steel trestle with plate girder spans A trestle is a bridge that consists of a large number of short spans, supported by splayed vertical elements and is usually for railroad use. ...

That old approach was over steep grades that hampered operations. In addition, extensive cuts and many other bridges were needed to cross various creeks and coulees. Past the St Mary's River crossing, several large cuts had been required. Large bridges were also required, including a 900-foot (275-m) trestle with a 200-foot (61-m) span west of the St. Mary's River, a 600-foot (183-m) trestle at Eight-Mile Coulee and another of 900 feet (274-m) in length near Eight-Mile Coulee. At Sixteen-Mile Coulee there was an 800-foot (244-m) trestle, 133 feet (40.5-m) high with a 200-foot (61-m) truss span over the creek. The trestles on the original line out of Lethbridge totalled 2.8 miles (4.5 km). Although the original route accomplished its purpose in allowing the CPR to rapidly complete the railway, it turned out to be expensive to operate. The original bridges were designed to last only about 10 years. The CPR decided, in 1905 to construct a completely new route on a better gradient to bypass the original line. The new line was built to the north of the Oldman River. It required two bridges, one just west of Lethbridge - the famous High Level Bridge - over the Oldman River and another large bridge over the Oldman River again west of Monarch. This route eliminated many curves and reduced the grade from 1.2 percent to only 0.4 percent. It also saved 5.26 miles (8.5 km) of track. 1905 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Oldman River is a river in southwestern Alberta, Canada. ...

Construction began in the summer of 1907. Clearing and grading the site, construction of piers, and placement of the footings progressed while the steel work was being prefabricated. Raising the steel work began in mid-August 1908. Once the steel work reached track level at the Lethbridge end, it was possible to begin using a huge travelling crane, pictured below, called an "erection traveller". It was used to lower the steel beams and girders into place. The last girder was placed in June 1909 and riveting was completed in August 1909. Transport of the steel to the site required 645 railway cars while another 40 were needed to bring in equipment.

Specifications

• Length: 5,327.625 feet (1,623.86 m)
• Height: 314 feet (95.7 m) above river bed
• Materials: 12,400 tons of steel
• Deck Spans and lengths:
  • 44 plate girder spans each of 67 feet, 1 inch (20.4 m)
  • 22 plate girder spans each of 98 feet, 10 inches (30.15 m)
  • one riveted lattice-truss of 107 feet (32.6 m)
• Rigid braced steel towers: total of 33

The second bridge, over the Oldman River, is 1,890 feet (576 m) long and 150 feet (45.7 m) high. Lethbridge Viaduct Under Construction Cranbrook Museum and Archives 1909 photo Copyright expired. ...

External link

• Photo of Lethbridge Viaduct 2003

See also: List of bridges The List of bridges is a link page for any bridge. ...