Borden Bridge

Borden Bridge is an abandoned arch bridge that spans across the North Saskatchewan River near Borden, Saskatchewan, Canada. The bridge used to carry vehicular traffic from Saskatchewan Highway 16, but is now open to foot traffic only.

Borden Bridge
Coordinates52.3730°N 107.1501°W / 52.3730; -107.1501
CarriesPedestrians
CrossesNorth Saskatchewan River
LocaleCorman Park No. 344 / Great Bend No. 405, near Borden, Saskatchewan, Canada
Official nameBorden Bridge
Characteristics
DesignRainbow open arch bridge
MaterialReinforced concrete
History
DesignerC.J. Mackenzie
OpenedNovember, 1936
Closed1985
Location

History

The bridge [1] [2] was constructed as a "make-work" project during the Great Depression. It was built in 1936 by the contractor R.J. Arrand Construction Co. and was designed by Chalmers Jack (C. J.) MacKenzie (on leave from being Dean of Engineering at the University of Saskatchewan). Plans from 1929 called for a steel segmental truss bridge, however these were abandoned for a more labour-intensive concrete bridge employing local farmers in the region.

A photo taken from on the deck of the disused Borden Bridge across the North Saskatchewan river.

In 1985 the bridge was closed to vehicles; a newer dual-span bridge built immediately north of the old bridge now carries the highway traffic. In 2007 the bridge was sold by the provincial government to Orville Middleton at a price of $33,000; he indicated that his plans were to turn the bridge into an open-air dance hall.[3] The Saskatchewan Architectural Heritage Society expressed strong concern over this proposed use for the bridge.[4] As of 2012, the bridge still had not been converted because the rural municipality would not approve this use. Middleton stated that he would donate the bridge and surrounding land to the Canadian Wildlife Federation if the dance hall idea would not happen. He also expressed interest in decorating the bridge with some of the salvaged LED lights taken from the Traffic Bridge in Saskatoon.[5] Eight years after buying the bridge, Middleton put it up for sale in 2015 for $1 million, having never been granted approval for his dance hall.[6] As of 2019, the bridge remains unsold.[7]

See also

References
  1. Herrington, Ross (March 1, 2008). "Statement of Heritage Significance; Borden (Ceepee) Bridge; R.M. of Great Bend No. 405". Saskatchewan Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 2009-12-07.
  2. "Borden Bridge Development more unlikely every day owner says". The StarPhoenix. Feb 3, 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
  3. "Bridge buyer hopes to dance on landmark". The StarPhoenix. July 27, 2007. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
  4. "Heritage group raps bridge scheme". The StarPhoenix. July 28, 2007. Archived from the original on November 9, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
  5. "Borden Bridge owner hopes to buy lights". The StarPhoenix. August 28, 2012. Retrieved 2012-08-28.
  6. Bosker, Brent (2015-02-02). "Borden Bridge goes up for sale after owner fails to get approval for dance hall". News Talk 650 CKOM. Rawlco Communications. Archived from the original on 2015-02-02. Retrieved 2015-02-02.
  7. MacPherson, Alex (2016-02-03). "Borden Bridge development more unlikely every day, owner says". The StarPhoenix. Retrieved 2016-10-28.
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