Canso Causeway

The Canso Causeway is a rock-fill embankment crossing the Strait of Canso between Cape Breton Island and mainland Nova Scotia. This structure carries both a railway line and a two-lane roadway linking the island to the rest of the province.

Work started in 1952 and required more than 10 million tons of rock to build the embankment. The official opening took place on 13 August 1955, ending the ferry service that had previously connected the island to the mainland.

The name Canso originates from the Mi'kmaq word kamsook, meaning opposite the lofty cliff, referencing the steep cliffs of Chedabucto Bay.

Vehicles use Highway 104 on the mainland and switch to Highway 105 on Cape Breton Island, while trains share the same route. The crossing is continuous without stops, except when the swing bridge opens for marine traffic.

The embankment extends up to 65 meters below the water surface, making it the deepest such structure in the world. A rotating bridge measuring 94 meters allows ships to pass through the strait.

GPS coordinates: 45.64389,-61.41972

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:29