Chaudière Bridge, Steel bridge over Ottawa River between Ontario and Quebec, Canada
Chaudière Bridge is a steel bridge over the Ottawa River that links the provinces of Ontario and Quebec in Canada. It runs in eight connected sections crossing multiple waterways, joining Booth Street in Ottawa to Rue Eddy in Gatineau.
The first crossing at this location was the Union Bridge, a wooden structure completed in 1828, making it one of the earliest fixed links between the two riverbanks. It was replaced with an iron version in 1843, beginning a longer history of rebuilding and reinforcing the crossing.
The bridge connects two provinces with different official languages, and many people cross it daily between English-speaking Ottawa and French-speaking Gatineau. On the bridge itself, both languages appear on signs and in conversation, making the border feel immediate and real.
A pedestrian walkway runs along the bridge, giving a clear view of the river and the falls below. The path is exposed to the elements, so calm and dry weather makes the crossing much more comfortable.
The eight sections of the bridge pass directly over Chaudière Falls, so the water rushes beneath the entire crossing. This makes it one of the few places in Canada where you can look down from a road bridge onto active falls flowing below your feet.
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