Grand Narrows Bridge | |
|---|---|
 Grand Narrows Bridge in 1900 | |
| Coordinates | 45°57′35.75″N 60°48′1.03″W / 45.9599306°N 60.8002861°W |
| Carries | 1 rail line (Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway) |
| Crosses | Bras d'Or Lake at the Barra Strait |
| Locale | Cape Breton Island (Iona, Victoria County, Nova Scotia – Grand Narrows, Cape Breton Regional Municipality) |
| Official name | Grand Narrows Bridge |
| Other name(s) | Barra Strait Railway Bridge |
| Maintained by | Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Truss bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Pier construction | Stone |
| Total length | 516.33 m (1,694 ft) |
| Width | 1 rail line |
| Longest span | 73.76 m (242.0 ft) |
| No. of spans | 7 |
| Piers in water | 6 |
| History | |
| Constructed by | Isbester and Reid |
| Fabrication by | Dominion Bridge Company |
| Construction start | 1887 |
| Construction cost | $530,000 |
| Opened | 18 October 1890 |
| Location | |
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The Grand Narrows Bridge is a Canadian railway bridge crossing between Victoria County, Nova Scotia, and Cape Breton County. At 516.33 m (1,694 ft), it is the longest railroad bridge in the province.[1] The bridge incorporates a swing span at its eastern end to permit the continued passage of marine traffic through the strait.
It is an arch truss design, consisting of seven riveted steel trusses, each 73.76 metres (242 ft) long, set on cut stone piers. The Grand Narrows Bridge crosses the Barra Strait of Bras d'Or Lake, carrying the Sydney Subdivision of the Cape Breton and Central Nova Scotia Railway (CBNS) between Iona, Victoria County, on the West side, and Grand Narrows, Cape Breton County (Cape Breton Regional Municipality) on the east side.
In 1993, a double leaf bascule bridge, the Barra Strait Bridge, carrying Route 223, was constructed just 70 m (230 ft) to the northeast of the Grand Narrows Bridge. The Government of Nova Scotia had operated a small ferry service for motor vehicles across the strait, starting in 1847, and continued for the next 146 years,[2] which was replaced in October 1993 by the opening of the Barra Strait Bridge.
- ^ "Grand Narrows Bridge's 'severe corrosion' raises concerns". CBC News. 27 May 2014. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
- ^ Jala, David (22 January 2020). "Four Cape Breton landmarks up to become registered municipal heritage properties". Cape Breton Post. Sydney, NS: SaltWire Network. Retrieved 9 July 2020.