Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Bridge

Description of the Historic Place

The Canadian Pacific Railway Bridge is a high steel trestle rail bridge that was constructed in 1908. The bridge spans the South Saskatchewan River and is 341 metres (1120 feet) long. The bridge is located within the City Park neighbourhood.

Heritage Value

The Canadian Pacific Railway Bridge is part of the CPR trunk line between Winnipeg and Edmonton. This was the second major rail line routed through Saskatoon. Located on what was then the north edge of the city, the bridge linked the CPR’s divisional yards at Sutherland with its station in downtown Saskatoon. It replaced a temporary wooden trestle bridge that had been constructed at the same location one year earlier.

The pedestrian walkway was added in 1909. The City of Saskatoon's original design for the bridge included a single lane of traffic to be added on each side of the bridge at a later date. These traffic lanes would have cost $50,000 more. Eventually the City opted to build the University Bridge as an alternative.

Source: City of Saskatoon Built Heritage Database

Character Defining Elements

Key elements which contribute to the heritage value of this historic resource include:

• Those features that relate to the bridge's historic value including its original location, materials, form, massing and scale.