Victoria Bridge, Railway bridge in Montreal, Canada
Victoria Bridge is an iron truss railway crossing that spans 1800 meters (5900 feet) across the Saint Lawrence River between Montreal and Saint-Lambert. The structure consists of a series of truss spans resting on massive piers that divide the river into sections.
Architect James Hodges completed this crossing in 1859 as a vital link for transcontinental rail traffic. Major reconstruction between 1897 and 1898 replaced the original tube design with open trusses to accommodate heavier loads and road lanes.
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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