Île d'Orléans Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orleans Island BridgePont de l'Île d'Orléans |
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| Coordinates | 46°52′49″N 71°08′16″W / 46.880233°N 71.137883°W |
| Carries | Quebec Route 368 |
| Crosses | St. Lawrence River |
| Locale | Quebec City and Île d'Orléans |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Suspension bridge/Truss bridge |
| Total length | 2.7 km (1.7 mi) |
| Width | 9.6 m (31 ft) |
| Height | 65.88 m (216.1 ft) to top of towers |
| Longest span | 323 m (1,060 ft) |
| History | |
| Designer | Philip Louis Pratley |
| Opened | 1935 |
The Orleans Island Bridge, often called the Pont de l'Île, is a special kind of bridge. It is a suspension bridge that crosses the Saint Lawrence River. This bridge connects the Beauport area of Quebec City to Île d'Orléans (Orleans Island) in Quebec, Canada. It is an important part of Quebec Route 368.
Building the Bridge
Why the Bridge Was Needed
Before this bridge was built, people could only reach Orleans Island in two ways. They used a ferry boat, or in winter, they crossed on an ice bridge. An ice bridge is when the river freezes solid enough to drive across.
A Promise for Jobs
In the 1930s, there was a time called the Great Depression. Many people did not have jobs. The leader of Quebec at the time, Premier Louis-Alexandre Taschereau, made a promise. He said he would create jobs in Montmorency County. Building a bridge was a great way to do this.
Construction and Opening
Work on the bridge started in 1934. It was finished and opened in 1935. At first, it was named the Taschereau Bridge, after the Premier. The bridge uses a mix of designs. It has a main suspension bridge part and also trusses on the parts leading up to it.
