Sewells Road Bridge is a single direction

suspension bridge A suspension bridge is a type of bridge in which the deck is hung below suspension cables on vertical suspenders. The first modern examples of this type of bridge were built in the early 1800s. Simple suspension bridges, which lack vertical ...

that carries vehicular traffic north and south on Sewells Road over the Rouge river in

Toronto Toronto ( ; or ) is the capital city of the Provinces and territories of Canada, Canadian province of Ontario. With a recorded population of 2,794,356 in 2021, it is the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, most pop ...

. The bridge is unique as it is one of only a few suspension bridges found in

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central C ...

, and one of the shortest vehicular applications (most suspension bridges are used to span major waterways or valleys).

History

Completed in 1912, it was designed by civil engineer

Frank Barber Frank or Franks may refer to: People * Frank (given name) * Frank (surname) * Franks (surname) * Franks, a medieval Germanic people * Frank, a term in the Muslim world for all western Europeans, particularly during the Crusades - see Farang ...

and Lewis Construction. It is the only suspension bridge in Toronto. The bridge likely provided the only means to cross the Rouge in north Scarborough when it was built. It is located not far from another important bridge crossing the Rouge,

Old Finch Avenue Bailey Bridge The Old Finch Avenue bridge is a Bailey bridge in Toronto. The Finch bridge is used for limited vehicular traffic on Old Finch Avenue in north-east Toronto to cross the Rouge River. The bridge dates back to late October 1954; it was constructed b ...

Current

The bridge remains in use (with restoration in 1981) and is listed in the city's list of historic structures (one of 15 bridges). Two single cables holds up the bridge with loads under and is maintained by

Toronto Transportation Services Toronto Transportation Services is the division of the City of Toronto which manages transport infrastructure within public rights of way in Toronto. With an operating budget of approximately $436.4 million in 2022 and 1,400 staff, the division ma ...

. An historic plaque was added after 1981 to provide details on the bridge's history and unique value.

References

{{Bridges in Toronto Bridges in Toronto Bridges completed in 1912 Road bridges in Ontario Suspension bridges in Canada 1912 establishments in Ontario

History

Current

See also

References