Text of the plaque:
Ottawa Heritage Awards
Award of Excellence - 2019
This award recognizes the
outstanding restoration of
the Minto Bridges which
are landmarks on the Rideau River.
Award of Excellence: Other
Minto Bridges
Rideau River
The Minto Bridges were constructed between 1900 and 1902 as a processional route from Rideau Hall to Parliament Hill. The bridges were built under the direction of Robert Surtees, Engineer and advisor to the Ottawa Improvement Commission as a four-span bridge of steel construction with decorative details. The rehabilitation project included structural work, the conservation of the masonry substructures, steel trusses, concrete parapet wall and decorative steel railings, as well as the in kind replacement of the wooden sidewalks.
Project Team
Parsons Inc
Pomerleau
Barry Padolsky Associates Inc., Architects
City of Ottawa, Property Owner
Jury Comments
The outstanding restoration of the Minto Bridges combined engineering and other technical considerations with sensitive attention to detail, preserving this beloved historic landmark with its heritage character intact. Careful restoration of these jewels on the Rideau River, involved both engineering considerations and a careful hand to bring these magnificent bridges back to their original splendour.
Reference: (
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Text of a second plaque on the bridge:
Minto Bridges
Designed by Robert Surtees, these
ornate bridges were built of lightweight
steel sections and cast iron by the
Dominion Bridge Company for the
Ottawa Improvement Commission.
Named for the fourth Earl of Minto,
Governor General of Canada, the
bridges were originally part of a
ceremonial route from Government
House to the Parliament buildings.
Designated Heritage Property
1989