Welcome to the St. Paul Crescent Bridge!
This bridge replaced the originally swing bridge, which crossed the Twelve Mile Creek, and the subsequent First and Second Welland Canals.
This bridge is a through Parker truss, with riveted connections and was built in 1946.
Original guardrails are present on the cantilevered sidewalks as well as on one side of the road deck.
The bridge makes widespread use of built-up beams which include visually pleasing V-lacing, present on vertical members,
under the top chord, and on the sway bracing and diagonal overhead bracing. The truss shows no signs of alteration and as such the historic
integrity of this bridge appears to be excellent. It is in good physical condition and functions beautifully as a pedestrian crossing for the Meritt Trail.
The photos below, taken around 1878, shows what the original bridge looked like and the nearby businesses, like Kinleith Paper Mills, which prospered along the banks of the creek.
This image is taken from the newly constructed Burgoyne Bridge, and looks south
Have fun and happy caching!