Wasauksing Swing Bridge
Encyclopedia
The Wasauksing Swing Bridge
spans the South Channel, a narrow channel of Georgian Bay
between the Rose Point on the mainland and an island commonly known as Parry Island (the Wasauksing First Nation
), near Parry Sound, Ontario
.
The bridge was built by the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway
to provide rail access to Depot Harbour
. The bridge is sometimes referred to by its former name, the "Rose Point Swing Bridge".
A bridge was first built at this location in 1887 (some sources indicate 1888). This was replaced by the current structure in 1912. The twin-towered Rose Point station was formerly located immediately adjacent to this bridge on the mainland side.
The bridge was built for rail traffic only, but was modified for use by both rail and vehicle traffic at a later date. Rail service ended and the rails were removed in 1989. The bridge is now used for one lane of vehicular traffic, and still opens regularly to allow passage of boats. There are stoplights at each end both to regulate traffic in alternate directions and also (along with barricades), to provide protection when the bridge is open. The bridge is the only road access for members of the Wasauksing First Nation, as well as many summer cottages located on the island. A sidewalk has also been added to one side of the bridge.
In 1997, the bridge piers received a rehabilitation by Underground Services (1983) Ltd.. A speed limit of 5 km/h (speed over ground) was put in place in 1998 for vessels passing through this bridge .
Swing bridge
A swing bridge is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its centre of gravity, about which the turning span can then pivot horizontally as shown in the animated illustration to the right...
spans the South Channel, a narrow channel of Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
between the Rose Point on the mainland and an island commonly known as Parry Island (the Wasauksing First Nation
Wasauksing First Nation
Wasauksing First Nation is an Ojibwa, Odawa and Pottawatomi First Nation located near Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada....
), near Parry Sound, Ontario
Parry Sound, Ontario
Parry Sound is a town in Central Ontario, Canada, located on Parry Sound on the eastern shore of Georgian Bay. Parry Sound is located south of Sudbury and north of Toronto. It is the seat of Parry Sound District, a popular cottage country region for Southern Ontario residents. It is also the...
.
The bridge was built by the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway
Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway
The Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway is a historic Canadian railway that operated in central and eastern Ontario from 1897 until 1959.It was a common carrier railway, although it was primarily used to transport timber from logging operations as well as haul cargo from western Canada via the...
to provide rail access to Depot Harbour
Depot Harbour, Ontario
Depot Harbour is a ghost town in the Canadian province of Ontario. It was once the western terminus of the Ottawa, Arnprior & Parry Sound Railway and a busy port on Georgian Bay.J.R...
. The bridge is sometimes referred to by its former name, the "Rose Point Swing Bridge".
A bridge was first built at this location in 1887 (some sources indicate 1888). This was replaced by the current structure in 1912. The twin-towered Rose Point station was formerly located immediately adjacent to this bridge on the mainland side.
The bridge was built for rail traffic only, but was modified for use by both rail and vehicle traffic at a later date. Rail service ended and the rails were removed in 1989. The bridge is now used for one lane of vehicular traffic, and still opens regularly to allow passage of boats. There are stoplights at each end both to regulate traffic in alternate directions and also (along with barricades), to provide protection when the bridge is open. The bridge is the only road access for members of the Wasauksing First Nation, as well as many summer cottages located on the island. A sidewalk has also been added to one side of the bridge.
In 1997, the bridge piers received a rehabilitation by Underground Services (1983) Ltd.. A speed limit of 5 km/h (speed over ground) was put in place in 1998 for vessels passing through this bridge .