Quebec Bridge
Quebec and Laporte Bridges by André Audet / and structurae
The
Quebec Bridge is located on the lower
Saint Lawrence River where the river narrows just to the West of
Quebec City,
Quebec,
Canada. This is a steel truss
cantilevered bridge. The
bridge accommodates both
highway,
tram and
rail traffic. Construction began in
1903 after the Canadian Government guaranteed the funding. By 1904 the superstructure was taking shape. Due to miscalculations made during the planning stages the actual weight of the bridge was far in excess of its carrying capacity. When the bridge was nearing completion structural problems were noticed but the local engineering team did not recognize the gravity of the situation. Work continued despite the fact that the consulting engineer ordered all work to be halted. On August 29,
1907, after four years of construction, the bridge collapsed into the
river in just 15 seconds. Of the 86 workers on the bridge that day 75 were killed and the rest injured.
After a Royal Commission Inquiry into the collapse, construction was recommenced. Disaster struck a second time while the center span was being raised into position. On September 11, 1916 eleven men were killed when the prefabricated span broke loose and dropped into the river. Construction was ultimately completed in August of 1919. Finally, on December 3, 1919, the Quebec Bridge opened for traffic, nearly 20 years after the initial construction. Its center span of 576 metres remains the longest cantilevered bridge span in the world. This construction project was a major engineering feat. The Quebec Bridge continues to stand as one of the world's great bridges.
A suspension bridge, the Pierre Laporte Bridge was constructed just upstream to accommodate the modern highway traffic.
Relevant Links
See also: