The Confederation Bridge

The Confederation Bridge (French: Pont de la Confédération) is a bridge spanning the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait, linking Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. It was commonly referred to as the “Fixed Link” (cf. fixed link) by residents of Prince Edward Island prior to its official naming. Construction took place from the fall of 1993 to the spring of 1997, costing C$1.3 billion. The 12.9-kilometre (8 mi) long bridge opened on 31 May 1997.

The bridge is a two-lane highway toll bridge that carries the Trans-Canada Highway between Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island (at Route 1) and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick (at Route 16).

It is a multi-span post-tensioned concrete box girder structure. Most of the curved bridge is 40 metres (131 ft) above water, and it contains a 60 m (197 ft) high navigation span to permit ship traffic. The bridge rests on 62 piers, of which the 44 main piers are 250 m (820 ft) apart. The bridge is 11 m (36 ft) wide.

The speed limit on the bridge is 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). It takes about 10 minutes to cross the bridge.

I was last at the Confederation bridge on opening day on May 31st, 1997, on that day the bridge was a flood of foot trafic only, cars were not allowed. Every proud Canadian in Prince Edward Island and the neighboring provinces where there to celebrate the opening of the longest bridge in Canada. On that day there was Canadian flags, Quebec flags and every other provincial flag being flown. It’s hard not to fall in love with this concrete marvel, its lines and sheer size is truly breath taking. I encourage all of you to someday make your way to the Confederation bridge and see it for yourself. Its best viewed from the north side mid-day to the end of the day. If your lucky the sun will be setting on in the northwest lighting up the entire north face.

The North Face of the Confederation Bridge.

These are the first and second pillars on the PEI side, these photos do not give you a true idea of the sheer size and amount of concrete needed to hold this mammoth bridge up.

The second pillar on the PEI side

I included Bo in this photo to give you an idea of the size

The irony in this photo is all these cameras are used to keep the bridge secure.  While i was on the wharf not 500 feet from where i took this photo one of there fellow works pulled up in a Conferderation bridge company truck. He and two other workers jumped in a fishing boat and took off for the open waters. I was walking past their truck and I noticed the windows where wide open, I said to myself, “and I bet the keys are in the ignition too”. Sure as heck there they were hanging in the ignition. I was there for an hour and there the truck stood, open for the taking, no one around, period. That’s rural Canada for you!

Confederation Bridge truck anyone, comes with sirens!

The Toll Booth

An army of light stands line the bridge, reaching skyward.

New Brunswick side of bridge.

First piece of land you see on the New Brunswick side of bridge.