Henley Bridge

These are two bridges collectively known as the Henley Bridge. Each bridge carries one direction of QEW traffic over 12 Mile Creek. The Henley Bridge is a multi-span open spandrel concrete arch bridge similar in type to the Belle Isle Bridge in Michigan. The arches in the Henley Bridge are larger in size however. I am unsure how original the guardrails are on this bridge, I think that the posts are original but the segments of concrete in between the posts and all the metal poles are not original.

The thing I really like about this bridge is the cool statues / sculptures that are at each end. They are in the shape of half of a boat, with some stylized lions at the top. When viewed from a distance, like from the overpass that is to the east of this bridge, this gives the effect that the bridge is a giant Vikings style sailboat. Cast into the concrete that makes up these designs is the information for the bridge. The bridge was opened to traffic on June 7th, 1939, in a ceremony that the King and Queen were at. In fact, mention is made that the bridge commemorates the first time a reigning sovereign entered a sister domain of Britain.

The reason I like the statues on this bridge so much, is that they add interest to an otherwise bland drive on the expressway. Imagine if all over the expressway, there were sculptures and such mounted on abutments and barriers and such. Coupled with attractive designs of overpasses and guardrails (like Sigler Road), you could make an aesthetic expressway - a roadway that is not only efficient, but is attractive as well. But all that costs money, and apparently money should not be used to make our world more beautiful anymore.