International Railroad Bridge:

Camelback Truss Spans

Most Recent Visit To Bridge: May 14, 2006

Exploring the International Railroad Bridge The International Railroad Bridge is a magnificent landmark bridge whose significant size comes from a huge number of smaller spans, rather than a single large bridge. When all these sections are combined, the result is a bridge that is unrivaled in variety, size, beauty, and history. Indeed, within this bridge each of the three most common movable bridge types is represented. These separate and different structures that carry the railroad over the St. Mary's River and its canal systems are collectively referred to as the International Railroad Bridge. The bridge was designed for and continues to carry a single set of tracks. Due to the fact that the different sections of this bridge are so different in terms of history and design, they have separated them into a few separate pages on this website. You can use the below options to aid in your exploration of the other sections of this bridge The thumbnails below are lined up in the order that the appear on the bridge from the West (USA) side of the bridge to the East (Canada) side of the bridge. Click on the name or thumbnail for the structure you want to investigate, and you will be directed to the page that includes coverage of that structure. Names appearing in red text show the structures that are covered on the page you are currently viewing. Plate Girder Overpass Span Vertical Lift Span Bascule Span Camelback Stationary Spans Swing Span Plate Girder Spans

This bridge is the true international portion of the International Railroad Bridge, since one end is in Canada, the other is in the United States. Canada has done a far better job than the United States in making the St. Marys River and canals accessible and enjoyable for the public to visit. On the Canadian side, it is one huge park area. Second, although this is an international bridge, you can still walk right up to it and get photos. Although there are undoubtedly many security measures at the center of this bridge, no restrictions prevent photographers from getting a photo of the beautiful portal of this bridge. This is all a stark contrast to the security fences and buildings that all but completely block the portions of the International Railroad Bridge on the U.S. side of the river.

The bridge itself is utterly magnificent and is composed of an impressive nine spans! Each span is ten panels. The bridge is significant for its early construction date of 1887. The bridge was built by the Dominion Bridge Company of Lachine, Quebec, as described by the builder plaque. Lachine refers to an area within the city of Montreal. The trusses are Parker truss spans, and feature pinned connections. The top chord and end posts is made up of five sections, so it appears it can also be called a camelback. There is v-lacing on the verticals, sway bracing, and under the top chord/end post. The portal bracing is an a-frame design. Piers and abutments are stone, with portions of concrete added.