Jackknife Bascule Bridge, Railway bridge in Thunder Bay, Canada
The Jackknife Bascule Bridge crosses the Kaministiquia River using a steel framework made of riveted Warren trusses and measures roughly 374 feet (114 meters) long. The structure was designed so its roadway can fold upward to let ships pass underneath.
Construction took place from 1910 to 1913 under the direction of contractor Alexander Charles Stewart for the Canadian Pacific Railway. It represented an advance in railway engineering during that era in Canada.
The bridge stands as a landmark that shaped how Thunder Bay developed around its waterway. Residents recognize it as a working structure that links the island to the mainland and remains part of local daily life.
The bridge is accessible on foot and provides good views of the river and surrounding area. Keep in mind that the lifting mechanism still operates and the bridge occasionally raises for passing vessels.
It was originally designed as the world's first double-deck bascule bridge, with separate levels for trains and vehicles. This two-purpose design lasted more than a century before being discontinued in 2004.
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