The Confederation Bridge's Length

The Confederation Bridge is a world engineering feat, connecting Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick over the Northumberland Strait. Stretching 12.9 kilometres (8 miles) long, it is the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters. The bridge took four years to build, from 1993 to 1997, and cost $1 billion. It is a two-lane toll bridge with a speed limit of 80 kilometres per hour. The bridge is operated by Strait Crossing Bridge Limited and is expected to have a lifespan of over 100 years.

The Confederation Bridge is 12.9km long

The Confederation Bridge is an impressive 12.9km long. This length makes it the longest bridge in Canada and the longest bridge in the world that spans ice-covered waters. It is a box girder bridge carrying the Trans-Canada Highway across the Abegweit Passage of the Northumberland Strait, linking the province of Prince Edward Island with the mainland province of New Brunswick.

The bridge is a two-lane toll bridge that takes approximately 10 minutes to cross. It usually costs around $50 CAD to cross, and the toll is only applied when leaving Prince Edward Island. The speed limit on the bridge is 80km/h, but this can vary depending on wind and weather conditions.

The Confederation Bridge is a true engineering marvel and a testament to human ingenuity. It took four years to construct, employing over 5,000 workers, and cost around $1 billion CAD. The bridge officially opened on May 31, 1997, and has since revolutionized travel between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick, making it easier and more convenient for residents and tourists alike.

The construction of the Confederation Bridge was not without controversy. The decision to replace the existing ferry service with a fixed link sparked heated debates throughout the 1980s. The residents of Prince Edward Island had contrasting opinions about how year-round access to the mainland would impact their way of life, economy, and livelihood. The issue was eventually put to a vote, and in 1988, 59.4% of Islanders voted "Yes" to the fixed link.

Today, the Confederation Bridge stands as a symbol of Canadian innovation and unity, connecting communities and facilitating travel throughout the Maritimes. Its impressive length and design continue to awe travellers and locals alike, solidifying its place as one of Canada's top engineering achievements of the 20th century.

It is the longest bridge in Canada

The Confederation Bridge is Canada's longest bridge, stretching 12.9 kilometres or 8 miles long. It is a multi-span concrete box girder structure, with a curvy design to reinforce its strength and ensure drivers remain alert while crossing. The bridge is a two-lane toll bridge that carries the Trans-Canada Highway between Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Jourmain, New Brunswick. It took four years and C$1.3 billion to build, with construction starting in October 1993 and the bridge officially opening to traffic on May 31, 1997.

The Confederation Bridge is not just Canada's longest bridge but also a world engineering feat and one of the 20th century's greatest engineering achievements. It is the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters, connecting Prince Edward Island to the mainland over the Northumberland Strait in the southern part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. The bridge reaches 60 metres above sea level at its highest point, allowing large sea vessels, including cruise ships, to navigate under it.

The construction of the Confederation Bridge was a complex and challenging project. It required over 5,000 workers, ranging from labourers and specialty trades to engineers, surveyors, and managers. The bridge components were built on land in purpose-built staging yards located on the shoreline at Amherst Head and an inland facility at Bayfield, New Brunswick. The reinforced concrete structure was designed to withstand iceberg impacts, with a deflection cone encircling each pillar to cause icebergs to bounce off. The bridge was built from both ends towards the middle, with components lifted into place using a Dutch-built heavy-lift catamaran, the HLV Svanen.

The Confederation Bridge has had a significant impact on the local economy and tourism in the region. The provincial GDP rose over 5% during the construction, providing a short-term economic boom. The number of tourists visiting Prince Edward Island increased from 740,000 in 1996, the year before the bridge opened, to 1,200,000 in 1997, although this later dropped back to around 900,000 visitors annually. The bridge also contributed to the decline of smaller, locally-owned businesses in the area, as big-box chains such as Walmart, Home Depot, and Staples moved in.

The Confederation Bridge is more than just a transportation link; it is a symbol of Canadian Confederation. Charlottetown, located on Prince Edward Island, is known as the Birthplace of Confederation, where the first meetings of the Founding Fathers of Canadian Confederation took place in 1864. The bridge's construction challenged Islanders' sense of themselves and their past and future, forever changing Island life.

It is the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water

The Confederation Bridge, which connects the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, is the world's longest bridge over ice-covered water. It is 12.9 kilometres or 8 miles long. The bridge took four years to build, from 1993 to 1997, at a total cost of $1 billion. It is a multi-span concrete box girder structure with a curvy design, reinforcing its strength and ensuring drivers remain alert while crossing.

The bridge is a remarkable engineering feat, with a life expectancy of over 100 years. It reaches 60 metres above sea level at its highest point, allowing large vessels, including cruise ships, to navigate under it. The bridge rests on 62 piers, with the main piers 250 metres apart. The Confederation Bridge is a testament to the skill and ingenuity of its engineers, challenging the sense of what is possible.

Before the construction of the Confederation Bridge, a ferry service connected Cape Traverse in Prince Edward Island and Cape Tormentine in New Brunswick. The idea of a permanent fixed link between the two provinces had been discussed for over a century. While the bridge has improved connectivity and increased food exports from Prince Edward Island, some residents were initially concerned about potential ecological damage and the impact on their quiet island lifestyle.

The Confederation Bridge is more than just a means of transportation; it is a symbol of Canadian Confederation. It opened on May 31, 1997, and it is aptly named after the forming of Canadian Confederation. Charlottetown, known as the Birthplace of Confederation, hosted the important first meetings of the Founding Fathers of Canadian Confederation in 1864. The bridge's construction marked a turning point in the history of Prince Edward Island, forever changing the lives of its residents.

It takes about 10 minutes to cross the bridge

The Confederation Bridge is a world engineering feat that connects Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick over the Northumberland Strait in the southern part of the Gulf of Saint Lawrence. It is the longest bridge in the world over ice-covered waters, stretching 12.9 kilometres (8 miles) long and reaching 60 metres above sea level at its highest point.

The Confederation Bridge is a multi-span concrete box girder structure with a curvy design for safety and to reinforce its strength. It took four years to build, from 1993 to 1997, at a total cost of $1 billion dollars. It is a revolutionary landmark that changed Island life and challenged the sense of themselves, their past, and their future. The bridge has a life expectancy of over 100 years and marked the end of the New Brunswick ferry service.

The Confederation Bridge is a remarkable example of engineering and innovation, providing easy and convenient travel between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Its construction and design showcase the skill and ingenuity of engineers, ensuring a safe and efficient crossing for vehicles and pedestrians.

The toll for a two-axle vehicle is $50.25

The Confederation Bridge is a 12.9-kilometre (8-mile) bridge that connects Prince Edward Island to the mainland province of New Brunswick. It is the longest bridge in Canada and the world's longest bridge over ice-covered waters. The bridge opened on May 31, 1997, and is a two-lane toll bridge that carries the Trans-Canada Highway. The speed limit on the bridge is 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) and it takes about 10 minutes to cross. The bridge is a multi-span concrete box girder structure with a curved design for safety and strength. It has a total of 62 piers, with the main piers being 250 metres apart, and it reaches 60 metres above sea level at its highest point.

Tolls are charged based on the number of axles on a vehicle. As of January 2022, the toll for a two-axle vehicle is $50.25. For each additional axle, there is an extra charge of $8.50. Motorcycles are charged $20. While pedestrians and cyclists are not permitted to cross the bridge, a shuttle service is available for $4.75 per person. The shuttle service also charges $4.25 for each bag after the first bag. The Confederation Bridge does not offer discounted rates for frequent users to ensure fairness for all customers. Tolls can be paid using cash, Interac, or major credit cards, and there are dedicated toll lanes for faster transactions.

The Confederation Bridge is a remarkable engineering feat, challenging the sense of community and changing life for Islanders. It is maintained by a private-public partnership, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, and will be operated by them until 2032 when it will transfer to the Government of Canada. The bridge has had a significant economic impact, with a short-term boom during construction and an increase in tourism after opening.

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