THE OLD FRASER RIVER BRIDGE
A BC Heritage Jewel
This is the longest wooden truss walking bridge in the world (831 feet), and a fine demonstration of the Howe Truss System.
For many years the only way to cross the Fraser River here was by canoe or, eventually, by ferry. It took local citizens over 20 years to convince the government to build this bridge, but construction began in August 1928, and the bridge opened on May 24, 1929.
It had a capacity of 10 tons: more than adequate for pedestrians, horse-drawn rigs and occasional motor vehicles. It stimulated the growth of West Quesnel and greatly aided the fall cattle drive, when ranchers from Nazko and beyond drove up to 400 cattle across the bridge to auction. Previousiy, cattle and accompanying cowboys swam the river.
During World War II, birch was harvested from west of the Fraser, trucked across the bridge and shipped by rail to make plywood for Mosquito bombers. As the lumber industry grew, the bridge became inadequate for larger trucks, so stop lights were installed in 1954 to allow only single lane traffic. Lobbying for a new bridge was successful after the Cariboo Pulp mill project was announced, and the Moffat Bridge was completed in 1971.
This wooden bridge, a valued community asset, was maintained for pedestrians and is the centrepiece of Quesnel's Riverfront Trail system. In 2010 the bridge was restored with funds from Western Economic Diversification Canada and the City of Quesnel, extending its life by many decades. The decking and many truss members were replaced, and one of Canada's best examples of outdoor programmable lighting was installed (the new lights use less power than would two hair dryers).
For more, see www.quesnel.ca/footbridge.
SPEND VICTORIA DAY IN QUESNEL
Mr. Reesor, of Vancouver, arrived in town the latter part of last week, in connection with making necessary arrangements for the contractor to commence operations on the construction of the piers for the Fraser river bridge. He states that the contractor, Mr. Greenley, will arrive in Quesnel very shortly, and it is expected that work on the piers and abutments will be commenced within a fortnight.
Mr. Greenley, contractor for the piers for the Fraser river bridge, arrived in town on Tuesday's train, and is busily engaged making preparations to commence the work.
Mr. Leemy, who was the government engineer in charge of the construction of the Quesnel river bridge, will fill the same position with respect to the Eraser river bridge, and will arrive in town shortly.
Tommy Chilcolt, a resident of our town during the construction of the Quesnel river bridge, when he was assistant to the government engineer in charge of the work, arrived here on Wednesday to fill a similar position with respect to the Fraser river bridge
The bridge contractor's machinery arrived on Tuesday's train, and the bridge site has had a busy appearance this week, getting everything in readiness to drive piling.
The clang of the fire alarm about three o'clock last Tuesday afternoon soon brought a crowd to the corner of Front and Carson streets, where the roof of the Allison store and post office was found to be on fire, caused apparently by sparks from the donkey engine used with the pile driver on the new bridge over he Fraser. Willing hands soon had the blaze under control, only slight damage being done to the roof.
From the Cariboo Observer
The first car across the new Fraser river bridge unofficially opened the bridge last Wednesday afternoon but the bridge is not quite ready for traffic, yet. The decking is laid, but the guard rails and some of the tin covering has yet to be placed. The car contained the bridge engineer and three others.
From the Cariboo Observer
SPEND VICTORIA DAY IN QUESNEL
The crowning of Cariboo's 6th May Queen, in the person of little Mary Kerr, will take place with the usual ceremonies on Friday of next week, May 24th. The usual parade will take place from the Cenotaph at 2.00 p.m., of decorated autos, following which the crowning ceremonies will occur. The parade will then reform and proceed to the new Fraser river bridge, where the newly crowned Queen will cut the ribbon and officially declare the bridge open for traffic. The balance of the afternoon will be spent by the youngsters in various sports after the May pole Dance and certain foIk dances have been performed.
From the Cariboo Observer