Lethbridge Viaduct 3.06

Lethbridge, AB
Canada

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Lethbridge Viaduct Lethbridge Viaduct is one of the popular place listed under Landmark in Lethbridge , Bridge in Lethbridge , Tours & Sightseeing in Lethbridge ,

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The Lethbridge Viaduct, commonly known as the High Level Bridge, was constructed between 1907–1909 at Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada at a cost of $1,334,525.OverviewThis massive steel trestle 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 John Edward 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.This bridge is the largest railway structure in Canada and the largest of its type in the world. 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 894m long and 20m high; an impressive structure in its own right.HistoryThe 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 River crossing, several large cuts had been required. Large bridges were also required, including a 275m trestle with a 61m span west of the St. Mary River, a 183m trestle at Eight-Mile Coulee and another of 274m in length near Eight-Mile Coulee. At Sixteen-Mile Coulee there was a 244m trestle, 40.5m high with a 61m truss span over the creek. The trestles on the original line out of Lethbridge totalled 4.5km.

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