Skytrail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skytrail |
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| Coordinates | 51°29′24.53″N 107°4′20.83″W / 51.4901472°N 107.0724528°W |
| Carries | Pedestrian (current) Railway (former) |
| Crosses | South Saskatchewan River |
| Locale | Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | Truss bridge |
| Material | Steel |
| Total length | 3,000 feet (910 m) |
| Height | 150 feet (46 m) |
| History | |
| Designer | J.D. McArthur and Company |
| Construction begin | January 24, 1910 |
| Construction end | October 23, 1912 |
| Opened | October 23, 1912 |
| Closed | March 16th, 1987 (railway) |
The Skytrail Bridge is a very long bridge in Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada. It crosses the South Saskatchewan River. This bridge was first built for trains. It opened for railway use on October 23, 1912.
Later, in 2003, it was changed into a bridge for people to walk on. It is now the longest bridge in Canada that is only for walking! The Skytrail Bridge is also part of the Trans-Canada Trail, which is a huge network of trails across Canada. Sadly, the bridge has been closed since late 2013 because of problems with its structure.
Contents
Building a Giant Bridge
The Skytrail Bridge was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway company. It was designed to go across the entire wide valley of the South Saskatchewan River. The bridge has eight main sections, called spans.
Work on the bridge started on January 24, 1910. It took almost three years to build this huge structure. The bridge was finally finished and opened on October 23, 1912. It is made of strong steel and is a type of bridge called a Truss bridge.
From Trains to People
For many years, from 1912 until March 16, 1987, the Skytrail Bridge was used by trains. It helped transport goods and people across the river.
After 1987, trains stopped using the bridge. But the bridge found a new purpose! In 2003, it was changed so that people could walk and bike on it. This made it a great spot for outdoor activities.
Canada's Longest Walking Bridge
When it became a pedestrian bridge, the Skytrail Bridge became the longest bridge in Canada that is just for walking. It is about 3,000 feet (914 meters) long! Imagine walking that far across a river.
Being part of the Trans-Canada Trail means it connects to many other trails. This allows people to explore different parts of Canada on foot or by bike.
Why is it Closed?
Unfortunately, the Skytrail Bridge has been closed to the public since late 2013. This is because engineers found some issues with its structure. For safety reasons, it was decided to close the bridge until these problems can be fixed.
People in the area hope that one day the Skytrail Bridge can be repaired and reopened. It is an important landmark and a popular spot for outdoor fun.
Images for kids
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A panorama view of the Skytrail
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View from below the bridge
