Albert Memorial Bridge (Regina, Saskatchewan)

The Albert Memorial Bridge is a beam bridge that spans across the north and south banks of Wascana Creek along Albert Street in Regina, Saskatchewan. This functional war memorial is 256 metres (840 feet) long and 22 metres (72 feet) wide.[1]

Albert Memorial Bridge
Coordinates50.4362°N 104.6181°W / 50.4362; -104.6181
Carries4 lanes of Albert Street
CrossesWascana Creek
LocaleRegina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Official nameAlbert Memorial Bridge
Maintained byCity of Regina
Characteristics
DesignBeam (reinforced concrete, flat slab)
Total length256 metres
Width22 metres
Piers in water3
History
DesignerEngineer: Claude A.P. Turner
Architects: Puntin, O'Leary, and Coxall
Opened1930-11-10

History

The Albert Memorial Bridge's construction was part of a larger relief project during the Great Depression, which also included draining and dredging the adjacent Wascana Lake, and building two islands in the lake. The bridge was designed by the architectural firm of Puntin, O'Leary and Coxall, as well as noted consulting engineer Claude A.P. Turner.[1] The bridge is highly ornamented with Egyptian motifs, lamp standards, multiple flag-staffs, glazed terra-cotta balusters and buffalo heads.[2]

Although the bridge's cost was estimated at less than $100,000 before construction, the final cost was $250,000.[3] It was ridiculed by the locals because of its cost and became known as "Bryant's Folly", after then-public works minister James Bryant.[2] It was opened on November 10, 1930, by Premier J. T. M. Anderson and dedicated as a memorial to the Saskatchewan soldiers who died in World War I. Although spaces were provided for the installation of plaques with the names of province's war dead, they were never utilized. Sixty-five years later, a separate World War I memorial on the grounds of the legislative building was constructed.[3]

The bridge was re-dedicated on October 2, 1988, after a $1.4 million restoration project.[3] In June 2009, another major refurbishment project was begun on the bridge. The deck was resurfaced, and decorative elements like the terra-cotta balustrades were restored. The cost of the work was estimated at $5 million.[4][5] By late October, most of the work (except the top layer of asphalt) had been completed.[6]

  • The dam of Albert Memorial Bridge with a terracotta representation of the Saskatchewan coat of arms above
  • Regina coat of arms on the bridge
  • Glazed terracotta buffalo detail on the bridge
  • Plaque
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References
  1. Herrington, Ross (2007-03-31). "Saskatchewan Road and Railway Bridges to 1950: Inventory". Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  2. "A History of Regina in Photographs – Landmarks". Regina Public Library. Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  3. Jones, Lloyd; Holden Stoffel (2006). "War Memorials". Encyclopedia of Saskatchewan. Canadian Plains Research Center. Retrieved 2009-02-04.
  4. "Restoration of Regina bridge to snarl traffic until October". CBC News. June 8, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  5. "Regina bridge repairs delayed slightly due to weather". CBC News. August 19, 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  6. "Bridge congestion ends as project wraps for winter". CBC News. October 26, 2009. Retrieved 2009-10-26.
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