The Harry Lazarenko Bridge is the oldest as-constructed bridge in Winnipeg. It has never been rebuilt since its original development in 1908. The drive to build the bridge was spurred by a 1906 vote of the formerly independent municipality of Elmwood to amalgamate with the City of Winnipeg. By extending Redwood Avenue east over the Red River, Elmwood was linked with Winnipeg’s North End.
The Harry Lazarenko Bridge connects Redwood Avenue on the west with Hespeler Avenue on the east. Like its upstream neighbour and lookalike, the Louise Bridge, it once carried streetcars back and forth over the river. From its construction until June 2014 it was known as the Redwood Bridge. Legend has it that Redwood Avenue was so named because of a store that once occupied the nearby riverbank, which was topped with a red-coloured wooden roof. Others maintain that “Redwood” was the name of a house on the west bank of the River in the mid-19th century.
The bridge is named for the longtime Winnipeg City Councillor for the Mynarski ward. Harry Lazarenko served from 1974-77, and again from 1983 until his retirement in 2010, making him (one of) the longest serving Councillors in Winnipeg’s history. The drive to rename the bridge in his honour was spearheaded by his successor on Council, Ross Eadie.
The bridge might have opened more than a year sooner than it did, if not for a municipal oversight. Under federal law (i.e. the former Navigable Waters Protection Act), Ottawa must OK any project that spans a navigable waterway. When federal engineers came to examine the nearly complete bridge in March 1907, they determined that its pillars were too close together. The local authorities had no choice but to tear it down and begin construction all over again.
Congratulations to The Black Flight for the FTF!
Congratulations also to scoobyshak for finding your first cache!