Rainbow Bridge (Niagara Falls) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rainbow Bridge |
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Rainbow Bridge as seen from Canada, 2013
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| Carries | 4 lanes of   NY 384 / NY 104 / Road 420 (2 each way), pedestrian traffic |
| Crosses | Niagara River |
| Locale | Niagara Falls, Ontario, and Niagara Falls, New York |
| Official name | Niagara Falls International Rainbow Bridge |
| Maintained by | Niagara Falls Bridge Commission |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Arch bridge |
| Total length | 1,450 ft (440 m) |
| Height | 202 ft (62 m) |
| Longest span | 960 ft (290 m) |
| History | |
| Construction cost | $4 million |
| Opened | November 1, 1941 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | Canada-bound only: $5.00 USD or $6.50 CAD per auto. $1.00 USD or $1.00 CAD per pedestrian/bicyclist. |
The Rainbow Bridge is a famous arch bridge that crosses the Niagara River. It connects two cities named Niagara Falls: one in Niagara Falls, New York, United States, and the other in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. People often call it the Rainbow Bridge because rainbows are common near Niagara Falls due to the mist.
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Building the Rainbow Bridge
The Rainbow Bridge was built close to where an older bridge, called the Honeymoon Bridge, once stood. That bridge collapsed on January 27, 1938. It fell because of a large amount of ice in the river.
After the old bridge fell, officials from both Canada and the United States decided they urgently needed a new one. They chose a design by an architect named Richard Lee. This same design was later used for the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge further down the river.
The Canadian side of the bridge, including its special tower, was designed by William Lyon Somerville. In 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited Niagara Falls. They dedicated the spot where the Rainbow Bridge would be built. A monument was put up to remember this special event.
Construction of the bridge began in May 1940. It officially opened to the public on November 1, 1941. The bridge was named "Rainbow" because rainbows are often seen near Niagara Falls. This is due to the mist from the waterfalls.
Bridge Features and Use
The Rainbow Bridge is an important crossing point. It has four lanes for cars and also allows people to walk or bike across. The bridge connects to major roads in both the United States and Canada.
On the Canadian side, there is a special tower called the Rainbow Tower. This tower holds a large set of bells, called a carillon, which plays music several times each day.
It's important to know that large commercial trucks are not allowed to use the Rainbow Bridge. Trucks must use a different border crossing nearby, called the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.
Crossing the Bridge: Tolls
If you want to walk or ride a bicycle across the Rainbow Bridge, there is a small fee. This fee is $1.00 in either US dollars or Canadian dollars. You pay this fee using an automatic machine when you leave Canada.
For cars, the toll is only collected when you are leaving the United States and entering Canada. As of August 2022, the cost for a car is $5.00 US dollars or $6.50 Canadian dollars.
Images for kids
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The bridge as viewed from the Canadian side.
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The bridge and falls at night.
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The border station you see when entering Canada from the US.
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Panoramic View
See also
