Île d'Orléans Bridge, Suspension bridge in Quebec City, Canada.
The Île d'Orléans Bridge is a steel suspension bridge that crosses the Saint Lawrence River and connects the north shore to an island community. Its main span stretches roughly 320 meters, while the towers rise approximately 66 meters above water level.
Construction began during the Great Depression in the 1930s as a job creation project that would connect the island to the mainland. The engineer Philip Louis Pratley designed this crossing, which finally gave year-round access to what had been a seasonally dependent community.
The bridge transformed how islanders lived by ending their dependence on seasonal ferry routes and winter ice roads. It connected a once-isolated community to the mainland in a way that changed daily routines permanently.
The bridge carries vehicle traffic on Quebec Route 368 and connects to the main highway on the north shore, making it the primary road access to the island. Walking or cycling across is not permitted, so a vehicle is necessary to use this crossing.
This structure holds the distinction of being the furthest downstream fixed crossing of the Saint Lawrence River in its region. Its location makes it a significant milestone in connecting communities that were previously dependent on water-based transportation methods.
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