University Bridge (Saskatoon)

Infobox Bridge
bridge_name = University Bridge

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caption = University Bridge
official_name = University Bridge
carries = 4 lanes of College Drive/25th Street, pedestrians and bicycles
crosses = South Saskatchewan River
locale = Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
maint = City of Saskatoon
id =
designer = Adam P. Linton / Daniel Luten
design = Open spandrel deck arch
material = Reinforced concrete
spans = 10
pierswater = 5
mainspan =
length = convert|1100|ft|m|0
width = convert|65|ft|m|0
height =
load =
clearance =
below =
traffic =
begin = 1913-09-02
complete = 1916
open = 1916-11-15
closed =
toll =
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University Bridge spans South Saskatchewan River between Clarence Avenue and College Drive on the east shore with 25th Street on the west in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada. The bridge is also known as the 25th Street Bridge and is a major commuter route between the two halves of Saskatoon. Between its opening in 1916 and the opening of the Circle Drive Bridge in 1983, it was the northernmost vehicular river crossing in the city. It is named for the fact that it provides access to the University of Saskatchewan.

The University Bridge was originally planned to be of steel truss construction, much like the Traffic Bridge. Instead, a new design was used and Saskatoon saw the start of its first reinforced concrete arch bridge in 1913. Unfortunately the original contractor, R.J. Lecky, badly underbid on the tender, had problems with its concrete, and faced conflict of interest charges. One pier of the bridge had to be rebuilt and, due to the impact of the First World War on the global economy, the company went bankrupt and the provincial government had to finish building the bridge itself. When completed in 1916 it was the longest bridge of its kind in Canada. [cite web
last = Herrington
first = Ross
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Statement of Heritage Significance - University (25th Street) Bridge, Saskatoon
work =
publisher = Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
date = 2008-03-01
url = http://www.tpcs.gov.sk.ca/UniversityBridge
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-09-29]

A number of urban legends have surrounded the bridge since its construction. One of the stories was that the original contractor mixed hay in with the concrete to save money. Another rumour said that a worker fell to his death into one of the forms when the bridge piers were being poured, and his remains lie entombed to the present day. While sensational, none of these stories are supported by actual evidence. [cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Saskatoon 100 - Our Past
work =
publisher = Saskatoon Centennial Office
date = 2006
url = http://www.saskatoon100.ca/main.php?p=2037
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2008-06-18]

ee also

* List of bridges in Canada
* List of bridges

References