The Confederation Bridge, known in French as the "Pont de la Confédération," stands as an engineering marvel and a symbol of connectivity in Canada. Spanning the Abegweit Passage of the Northumberland Strait, this box girder bridge carries the Trans-Canada Highway across the water, linking the charming province of Prince Edward Island with the mainland province of New Brunswick. Since its opening on May 31, 1997, the Confederation Bridge has held the title of Canada's longest bridge and remains the world's longest bridge over ice-covered waters, stretching an impressive 12.9 kilometers (8.0 miles).
The Confederation Bridge is more than just a crossing; it's a testament to modern engineering. The bridge is a two-lane toll bridge that carries the Trans-Canada Highway between Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick. Its design is a multi-span balanced cantilever bridge with a post-tensioned concrete box girder structure. Most of the bridge, which elegantly curves across the strait, stands 40 meters (131 feet) above the water, with a 60-meter (197-foot) navigation span to allow ships to pass beneath.
The bridge rests on 62 piers, with the 44 main piers spaced 250 meters (820 feet) apart. The total width of the bridge is 11 meters (36 feet). This structure was designed to withstand the harsh conditions of the Northumberland Strait, including the presence of ice during the winter months. The use of extremely durable high-grade concrete and reinforcing steel ensures that the bridge has an estimated lifespan exceeding 100 years.
A Journey Across the Strait
Traveling across the Confederation Bridge is an experience in itself. The speed limit on the bridge is set at 80 kilometers per hour (50 mph), although it can vary depending on wind and weather conditions. At the speed limit, the crossing takes about 12 minutes, providing travelers with ample time to take in the breathtaking views of the water below and the distant shorelines.
Tolls and Accessibility
Tolls for using the Confederation Bridge are only charged when leaving Prince Edward Island, making the westbound journey a paid experience. As of January 2022, the toll for a two-axle automobile is $50.25, with an additional $8.50 for each extra axle. Motorcycles are charged $20.00. While pedestrians and cyclists are not allowed to cross the bridge.
The construction of the Confederation Bridge was driven by several factors, including the rising costs of ferry services, which the federal government was constitutionally obligated to provide following Prince Edward Island's entry into the Canadian Confederation in 1873. The federal government saw the bridge as a way to reduce these costs while also providing a more reliable and efficient transportation link for the island's residents and visitors.
Construction of the Confederation Bridge began in October 1993 and was completed in May 1997, at a cost of approximately C$1.3 billion. The project was managed by Strait Crossing Development Inc., a consortium of companies that included OMERS, VINCI Concessions Canada Inc., and Strait Crossing Inc. The construction process was a massive undertaking, involving over 5,000 workers and a range of specialty trades, engineers, and managers.
All major components of the bridge were constructed on land at purpose-built staging yards located on the shoreline at Amherst Head, Prince Edward Island, and Bayfield, New Brunswick. The components were then transported and placed in the Abegweit Passage using the HLV Svanen, a Dutch-built heavy lift catamaran that was specially modified for the project. The construction process was a remarkable feat of engineering, with the final bridge structure being completed in November 1996.
As the bridge neared completion, discussions about its name began to take center stage. A committee chaired by former PEI Premier Alex Campbell initially recommended the name "Abegweit Crossing," which would honor the Abegweit Passage and the Mi'kmaq traditional name for Prince Edward Island. However, the federal government ultimately decided on the name "Confederation Bridge," a decision that sparked some controversy among Islanders who felt that the term "Confederation" was overused in the province.
Despite the debate, the name Confederation Bridge was officially adopted, and the bridge was formally opened on May 31, 1997, with a nationally televised ceremony that included a sail-past of the schooner Bluenose II, a flyover by the Snowbirds, and a farewell to the ferries that had served the Island for decades.
16 сен 2024
