Thousand Islands Bridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Thousand Islands International Bridge |
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A view of the Canadian parts of the bridge system as ON-137 traverses the St Lawrence River across Constance Island and then Georgina Island to reach Ontario mainland. Picture taken looking north from a Hill Island observation tower just north of the Canadian border with the US.
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| Coordinates | 44°20′50.71″N 75°59′0.6″W / 44.3474194°N 75.983500°W |
| Carries | 2 lanes of  I-81 and  Highway 137 |
| Crosses | Saint Lawrence River |
| Locale | Wellesley Island, New York, United States to Hill Island, Ontario, Canada |
| Official name | The Thousand Islands Bridge system |
| Maintained by | Thousand Islands Bridge Authority |
| Characteristics | |
| Design | suspension, open-spandrel deck arch bridge & truss bridge |
| Total length | Total: 8.5 mi (13.7 km) |
| Longest span | American suspension: 800 ft (240 m) Canadian suspension: 750 ft (230 m) Canadian truss: 600 ft (180 m) |
| Clearance below | U.S.: 150 ft (46 m) Canada: 120 ft (37 m) |
| History | |
| Construction begin | April 30, 1937 |
| Opened | 1937 |
| Statistics | |
| Toll | Varies $3.00–$17.25 (USD) or $4.00–$23.50 (CAD) |
The Thousand Islands Bridge is a special bridge system that connects two countries: the United States and Canada. It crosses the beautiful St. Lawrence River in an area called the Thousand Islands. This bridge links the northern part of New York in the U.S. with the southeastern part of Ontario in Canada.
The first parts of the bridge were built in 1937. More sections were added in 1959 to complete the system we see today. It gets its name from the many islands in this region. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority manages and takes care of the bridge. This group makes sure the bridge stays safe and works well for everyone.
Contents
What is the Thousand Islands Bridge System?
The Thousand Islands Bridge is not just one bridge! It's actually a series of five different bridges. These bridges connect several islands in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. They help people travel smoothly between the U.S. and Canada.
Connecting Highways
On the U.S. side, the bridge connects to Interstate 81. This is a major highway that helps people travel across many states. On the Canadian side, the bridge links up with Highway 137 in Ontario. There's also a smaller road called the Thousand Islands Parkway nearby.
Where the Countries Meet
The official border between the United States and Canada is right in the middle of the bridge system. It's located between Wellesley Island in the U.S. and Hill Island in Canada. You can even see a special plaque on the bridge that marks this international boundary!
How Tall is the Bridge?
The bridge might look a certain height in pictures, but it's actually quite tall! At its highest point, the bridge is about 150 feet (or 46 meters) above the water. This allows large ships to pass underneath safely.
Images for kids
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Toll plaza on the Thousand Islands Bridge
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Thousand Island bridge view from Ivy Lea
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Thousand Islands Bridge
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The international boundary plaque on the bridge
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Portion of ON-137 on Hill Island
