The Rideau Canal

The Bank Street Canal Bridge

 

A bridge has existed in the same location almost as long as the Rideau Canal itself. The first known bridge constructed in this location was in 1866. It was made of wood and provided access to various other jurisdictions located just across the Canal now known as Old Ottawa South. A few years after the construction of the wooden bridge, a steel swing bridge was built to allow larger boats to cross under the bridge.

 

There are a few images of this swing bridge in various archival maps uncovered during the research process including: fire insurance maps and photographs taken by members of the Glebe community.

 

Finally, a third bridge was built to replace the previous swing bridge so that there would be no need to open the bridge for boats as they crossed underneath. The bridge was completed between 1911 and 1913 and it was, ‘one of the first reinforced concrete structures of its kind in Ottawa’, according to Barry Padolsky Associates Inc. Architects, who was the firm that built the bridge.

 

It is interesting to note that as the bridge changed in its design and size over time to accommodate the needs of the present, so did the roads adjacent to it, specifically the significant scenic route of the Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Colonel By Driveway or previously known as Canal Road and later Echo Driveway.

Not only were there physical changes, but there were also changes in views along the scenic driveways, along Bank Street, and along the Rideau Canal.

 

Many changes occurred to the bridge between the early and late 20th Century, including the removal of its streetcars, rails, ornaments, and original lighting fixtures. As the years continued the bridge saw much decay to the point that restrictions were placed on what vehicles would be able to use it.

 

Because of this, a major rehabilitation project on the bridge was completed in June 1993, and received the City of Ottawa Award for Excellence in Conservation for the preservation of the historic style and design of the Bank Street Canal Bridge.

 

Today, one can visit the bridge and read the plaques placed near it that commemorates its historic importance and the award it received over 20 years ago.

 

 

References

Al-Asad, Mohammad. (2008). Bank Street Bridge. Old Ottawa South Community Association. Retrieved from: http://www.oldottawasouth.ca/oshp-heritage-properties/bank-street-bridge

Barry Padolsky Associates Inc., Architects. (2003). Bank Street Bridge Rehabilitation, 1993. Retrieved from: http://www.padolsky-architects.com/htmlfiles/bridges/bankst.html

Bytown Museum. (2009). Bank Street Bridge. Capital Neighbourhoods. Retrieved from: http://capitalneighbourhoods.ca/english/glebe/story-329.aspx

Wikipedia. (2014). Bank Street Bridge. Wikipedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_Street_Bridge