Okanagan Lake Bridge, Floating bridge across Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, Canada.
The Okanagan Lake Bridge is a floating bridge in Kelowna that spans 650 meters across the water, connecting downtown with the western shore. The structure has three traffic lanes and was engineered with a movable section to permit vessel passage.
The bridge opened in 1958 as Canada's first floating bridge of this type. Princess Margaret performed the official opening ceremony, marking a significant step forward in the region's transportation development.
The bridge linked previously separated communities and enabled residential and commercial growth on both sides of the lake. Today it remains a central connection between the city's different areas.
The bridge is accessible to vehicles during normal traffic hours, and pedestrians can also use it. It is useful to know that the structure may close periodically for maintenance work.
The eastern section of the bridge features a mechanical lift that raises to allow larger boats to pass underneath. This was an innovative solution to avoid completely blocking boat traffic on the lake.
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