Wasauksing Swing Bridge
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The Wasauksing
Swing Bridge A swing bridge (or swing span bridge) is a movable bridge that has as its primary structural support a vertical locating pin and support ring, usually at or near to its center of gravity, about which the swing span (turning span) can then pi ...
spans the South Channel, a narrow channel of
Georgian Bay Georgian Bay (french: Baie Georgienne) is a large bay of Lake Huron, in the Laurentia bioregion. It is located entirely within the borders of Ontario, Canada. The main body of the bay lies east of the Bruce Peninsula and Manitoulin Island. To ...
between the Rose Point on the mainland and an island commonly known as Parry Island (the
Wasauksing First Nation Wasauksing First Nation (formerly named as Parry Island First Nation, oj, Waaseyakosing, ''meaning: "Place that shines brightly in the reflection of the sacred light"'') is an Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi First Nation band government whose res ...
), near
Parry Sound, Ontario Parry Sound is a town in Ontario, Canada, located on the eastern shore of the sound after which it is named. Parry Sound is located south of Sudbury and north of Toronto. It is a single tier government located in the territorial District ...
. The bridge was built by the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway to provide rail access to Depot Harbour. The bridge is sometimes referred to by its former name, the "Rose Point Swing Bridge". A bridge was first built at this location in 1887 (some sources indicate 1888). This was replaced by the current structure in 1912. The twin-towered Rose Point station was formerly located immediately adjacent to this bridge on the mainland side. The bridge was built for rail traffic only, but was modified for use by both rail and vehicle traffic at a later date. Rail service ended and the rails were removed in 1989. The bridge is now used for one lane of vehicular traffic, and still opens regularly to allow passage of boats. There are traffic lights at each end both to regulate traffic in alternate directions and also (along with barricades), to provide protection when the bridge is open. The bridge is the only road access for members of the Wasauksing First Nation, as well as many summer cottages located on the island. A sidewalk has also been added to one side of the bridge. In 1997, the bridge piers received a rehabilitation by Underground Services (1983) Ltd. A speed limit of 5 km/h (speed over ground) was put in place in 1998 for vessels passing through this bridge.


References

* * * {{Coord, 45, 18, 54, N, 80, 2, 40, W, scale:10000_type:landmark_region:CA-ON, name=Wasauksing Swing Bridge, display=title Canadian National Railway bridges in Ontario Swing bridges in Canada Bridges completed in 1912 Bridges in Parry Sound District Rail infrastructure in Parry Sound District Former railway bridges in Canada 1912 establishments in Ontario