Victoria Bridge, Railway bridge in Montreal, Canada
Victoria Bridge is a railway and road crossing over the St. Lawrence River between Montreal and Saint-Lambert. It is about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) long and consists of steel truss spans resting on 24 masonry piers with ice-breakers. The bridge carries a double-track railway in the centre and road lanes on both sides.
Built between 1854 and 1859, the bridge was designed by Robert Stephenson and Alexander McKenzie Ross, with James Hodges as chief engineer. It opened to freight trains on 12 December 1859 and was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales on 25 August 1860. In 1897–1898 the wrought-iron tube was replaced by steel trusses around the original stone piers, without interrupting rail service.
Named after Queen Victoria of Britain, this crossing reflects the engineering ambitions of the 19th century. Its dark iron framework forms a recognizable silhouette above the water and continues to carry freight and passenger trains between the two shores.
Railway tracks run through the center section while road lanes on both sides serve as Route 112 for vehicle crossings. The span connects both shores and remains in daily operation for trains and automobiles.
Engineers installed 24 special ice-breaking piers during construction to resist the harsh winter conditions and massive ice floes of the Saint Lawrence River. These robust foundations continue to protect the structure from the extreme forces of the frozen waterway.
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