Québec Bridge

Quebec Bridge Credit : Parks Canada / Christine Chartré

In 1995, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) recognized the Québec Bridge as a site of national historic significance for its historical and architectural values, considering the fact that this is the world’s longest clear-span cantilever bridge and represents an innovative achievement of Canadian engineers.

In the late 19th century it became vital to build a rail link at Québec City between the north and south shores of the St. Lawrence River; this would join together the Maritimes, Manitoba and the United States. Prime Minister Laurier launched construction in 1900, but the work encountered various difficulties: the structure collapsed completely in 1907 and partially in 1916, causing the death of 89 men — many of them of Aboriginal descent. To solve the technical problems, the engineers decided to build the bridge of nickel steel and use a system of K-trusses, a new departure for a construction project of this size.

Officially opened by the Prince of Wales in 1919, the bridge then had the world’s longest clear span, measuring 548.6 metres between the main piers; this was 30 metres longer than the span of its closest competitor in Scotland. Despite modifications, the bridge roadway has kept some of its original technical features.

Right next to this symbol of Québec City, was built the Pierre Laporte Bridge — the longest suspension bridge in Canada, officially opened in 1970. Visible from both shores, the two structures are powerful images marking the Québec cityscape.