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 Mimico Creek Bridge
N 43° 37.263 W 079° 28.830
17T E 622597 N 4830906
This bridge connects the Humber Bay Parks. It appears to "lean"
Waymark Code: WM5PC3
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 01/29/2009
Views: 18
This bridge is unique. The City did not have the budget for another massive bridge like the Humber Bay Bridge just east of here, but it was still desired to make a landmark that people will recognize.
The bridge design features an arch that leans out on the upstream side of the bridge, giving stable support while appearing fragile.
While you are here, take time to explore the wetlands and the wildlife drawn to them. The bridge is used by many, many hikers, joggers and cyclists as the Trans Canada Trail passes over it.
From Etobicoke by the Lake
At first glance, the Mimico Creek Bridge seems incomplete and of precarious stability. Standing on the wooden plank walkway, one finds the bridge's solidly-proportioned superstructure is reassuring, although the source of its stability remains mysterious. The engineering concepts behind this stability are lengthy and complicated, but for those interested, a good explanation is available in a paper prepared by Professor Alan Sibbald, as Chairman of the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Association Institution of Civil Engineers.
The 100-metre Humber River Pedestrian and Bicycle Bridge cost over four million dollars; the smaller Mimico Creek Bridge, originally supposed to span 90 metres, had a budget of only $650,000. The cost of the steel and skilled workmanship required for the Delcan-Calatrava bid came well over this total, and the Parks Department realized that no innovative or striking bridge could be constructed for the full span within their budget. At Delcan's suggestion, the Department and the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority designed new wetlands and river training works, not only lowering the required span to 44 metres, enabling the design of a bridge that suited the budget, but also adding to the interest of bridge users. The combination of the shadow patterns formed by the bridge, the reflection of light on the water and the natural contours of the wetlands are a photographer's delight.
Length of bridge: 44 Metres
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Pedestrians, Bicycles
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
Creek
Date constructed: 1994
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes
Name of road or trail the bridge services: Trans Canada Trail, Waterfront Trail
Location:
Toronto
Height of bridge: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Please submit a photo(s) taken by you of your visit to the location (non-copyrighted photos only). GPS photos are also accepted with the location in the background, and old vacation photos are accepted. If you are not able to provide a photo, then please describe your visit or give a story about the visit. If the bridge location prevents you from taking a safe photograph, then please do not stop to take the photo. Safety is more important.
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