The Bridges

If you ever wondered what it is like to cross a bridge that was originally built for trains you must venture across the Victoria Bridge...and firmly hold onto your steering wheel!

The Victoria Bridge which is considered by some to be the Eighth Wonder of the world, is located at the foot of Rue Bridge in Montréal. This landmark was completed in the year 1859 and during its peak construction years six steamboats, 72 barges, 3040 men (of which there were several children between the ages of 8-12), 144 horses, and four locomotive engines were required to erect this Eighth Wonder of the world at a cost of $6,600,000.

The Jacques Cartier Bridge is a cantilever bridge from Montreal Island, Montreal to the south shore at Longueuil. Locally it is also known as the Pont de la rive-Sud (South Shore Bridge) and the Pont du Havre (Harbour Bridge). The bridge was inaugurated on May 14, 1930 as the Harbour Bridge and renamed the Jacques Cartier Bridge in 1934.

South Shore Bridges over the years

Here is a look at the south shore bridges that that have served the residents of St. Lambert over the years. Champlain, the newest in the group, is being dismantled after 57 years of use. The two oldest, Victoria and Jacques Cartier are still going strong. New Champlain has been running smoothly for three years and this September will see a light rail train using the centre of the span connecting the south shore to down town Montreal.

The Ice Bridges

It has been a long time since the St. Lawrence River has frozen over and longer still since horses walked on water, frozen or otherwise. Old Christmas trees mark the route that leads to Moffat’s Island. I believe this photo must have been at the bottom of Victoria Avenue near where they also ran trains over the ice. Before the Seaway was constructed you could see old railway ties in the water just before the little set of rapids. A good spot for fishing when we were young.

On the way to cut ice

Remnants of ice train bridge to Moffat’s Island

Victoria Bridge Completed in 1859

Before the Seaway

St. Lambert side with Seaway Locks

Jacques Cartier Bridge Completed 1931

Old Champlain Bridge Completed in 1962

The main span over the seaway shipping channel was finally taken down last month. Removal had to wait until shipping traffic stopped as they operation took several days and could have led to a disaster if it had been dropped on a ship. Once down it was moved by barge to the Brossard shore.

New Champlain Bridge Completed 2019

The bridge is lit up most nights with an ever changing variety of colors

The new Champlain with the still intact old Champlain just upstream.