Alexandra Bridge, Cantilever road bridge between Gatineau, Quebec and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The Alexandra Bridge is a steel truss cantilever bridge over the Ottawa River between Ottawa, Ontario, and Gatineau, Quebec. Its grey metal framework rises above the deck and along the sides, supported by three solid piers in the water. The deck carries a roadway with railings and a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.
Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway between 1898 and 1900, the bridge opened as the Interprovincial Bridge in February 1901 and was renamed for Queen Alexandra that September. Its cantilever centre span was then the longest in Canada. A 1946 fire ended trolley service, and after Ottawa Union Station closed in 1966 the rails were removed.
The bridge has long served as a meeting point for people from both provinces and shapes the riverside landscape between the two cities. Pedestrians and cyclists use it daily to connect the two communities.
The crossing offers pathways for pedestrians and cyclists who want to traverse the river and is easily accessible on foot or by bicycle. Visitors should note that traffic may be affected by maintenance work.
The bridge carries a surprisingly high volume of foot and bicycle traffic between the two cities on a daily basis. This heavy non-motorized use makes it one of the primary routes for people traveling without a car.
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