Lethbridge Viaduct, Railway bridge in Lethbridge, Canada
Lethbridge Viaduct is a steel railway bridge spanning across the Oldman River Valley, supported by 17 substantial steel arches that follow the contours of the deep terrain. The structure curves gently as it traverses the valley, creating a distinctive engineering profile visible from multiple angles.
The viaduct was constructed between 1907 and 1909 by the Canadian Pacific Railway as a major engineering accomplishment. It replaced an earlier wooden trestle structure and provided a more efficient route across the valley for rail operations.
The structure became a symbol of engineering ambition and connected distant communities across the prairies when few other routes existed. For locals, it represented the arrival of modern transportation and new economic opportunities in the region.
The structure remains active with regular train traffic passing through, so plan visits around railway schedules for safety. Walk near the viewing areas at ground level to appreciate the scale of the arches, or visit from elevated viewpoints in the surrounding area for better perspective.
When it was built, this was the longest and highest railway trestle in the world, a record it held for many years. The quantity of steel required and transported to build it demonstrated the scale of industrial capabilities at the time.
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