This year marks the centennial of one of Red Deer's most well-used landmarks. It is the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railroad bridge. It was an important transportation link over the Red Deer River and now serves as a heavily used pedestrian bridge between Riverside Meadows and downtown Red Deer.
When the Calgary-Edmonton Railway was constructed in 1890-1891, a timber bridge was constructed across the Red Deer River. While not very elaborate in appearance, it was very sturdy. On two occasions, in 1900 and 1901, the traffic bridges across the river were swept away in spring floods, but the rail bridge held.
In the summer of 1906, the Canadian Pacific Railroad, which had taken over operation of the C. & E. line, began making a number of improvements to the Red Deer rail yards. New switches were installed and a small new roundhouse was built. In October 1906, three carloads of cement arrived in preparation for construction of a new rail bridge across the river.
This work was part of making Red Deer a major divisional point for the main line between Calgary and Edmonton. As a result, all the freight trains running between Calgary and Edmonton would have their crews changed at Red Deer. Moreover, new trains would be assembled or broken up in Red Deer, prior to their departure to other points along the line.
Making Red Deer a divisional point meant a major investment in the rail facilities here. It meant the creation of a great many construction jobs as well as a significant number of permanent new jobs once the project was completed.
Unfortunately, the winter of 1906-1907 was one of the worst on record. Therefore, not much work was completed, particularly on the new bridge. While some improvements were completed in the summer of 1907, the onset of a brief but sharp economic recession again put much of the work on hold.
In April 1908, the C.P.R. reported that a new standard steel bridge would be completed across the Red Deer River. The estimated cost of construction was $57,000. To put this sum into context, a very good wage in those days was $1.50 to $2 per day. Work soon began to erect the metal superstructure onto the partial completed concrete piers that had been built in the harsh winter of 1906-1907. The project was completed by March 1909.
There was one recorded death of a labourer employed on the bridge project. James J. Shea died in July 1908 of complications after swimming in the Red Deer River.
While the C.P.R. actively discouraged people walking over the bridge in order to prevent accidents, many found it a quick and convenient way to cross between the City of Red Deer and the Village of North Red Deer.
From Forth Junction