Ducharme Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ducharme BridgePont Ducharme |
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Ducharme Bridge form the west.
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| Coordinates | 47°31′11″N 72°40′51″W / 47.51972°N 72.68083°W |
| Crosses | Bostonnais River |
| Locale | La Bostonnais, Quebec, Canada |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Lattice truss |
| Material | Spruce |
| Total length | 41.76 m (137.0 ft) |
| Width | 6.55 m (21.5 ft) |
| History | |
| Opened | 1948 |
The Ducharme Bridge (in French: Pont Ducharme) is a special type of covered bridge. It has a unique criss-cross design called a lattice truss. This bridge crosses the Bostonnais River in the middle of La Bostonnais, Quebec, Canada.
It was built in 1946 and is about 41.76 metres (137.0 ft) long. In 2006, it was named a historic monument. This means it's an important part of history and culture. It was recognized because it's a great example of a detailed bridge design. This design was created by the Quebec government's colonization department around the early 1900s. The bridge got its name from Romulus Ducharme. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the area called Laviolette from 1936-1939 and again from 1944–1966. An MLA is like a representative who helps make laws for the province.
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What is the Ducharme Bridge?
The Ducharme Bridge is a wooden bridge with a roof and sides. This makes it a "covered bridge." Covered bridges were common in the past. They helped protect the wooden structure from bad weather. This made the bridges last much longer.
Why is it a lattice truss bridge?
The Ducharme Bridge uses a "lattice truss" design. Imagine a pattern of criss-crossing wooden beams. These beams form a strong, triangular framework. This design helps the bridge support a lot of weight. It also makes the bridge very stable. The lattice truss was a popular and effective way to build strong bridges with wood.
Why is the Ducharme Bridge important?
The Ducharme Bridge is more than just a way to cross a river. It's a piece of history! It was built in 1946. This makes it one of the later examples of this specific type of bridge. It shows how people built things in the past.
Becoming a historic monument
In 2006, the Ducharme Bridge was officially named a historic monument. This is a big deal! It means the bridge is important for its history and design. It helps us remember how engineers and builders worked long ago. It also shows the building styles of that time.
Who was Romulus Ducharme?
The bridge is named after Romulus Ducharme. He was a politician who served the people of Laviolette. He was a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). This means he was elected by the people to represent them in the provincial government. He helped make decisions and laws for Quebec. Naming the bridge after him honors his contributions to the community.
Images for kids
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Another view of the Ducharme Bridge
