Name: |
Whirlpool Rapids Bridge |
Type: |
- double-decked two hinged
squandrel-braced arch |
Location: |
The bridge connects Highway 8, Queen Elizabeth Way; and River Road in Niagara Falls,Ontario to Routes 182 and 104 in Niagara Falls, New York State. |
Description: |
Length of Steel Work: 329 m (1,080 ft.) Height of Tracks over River: 75 m
(245 ft.) Roadway: Lower deck (two lane
roadway) 14.5 m (47.5 ft.) wide Roadway: Upper deck (double track
railway) 10 m (32 ft.) wide. Leased to Canadian National Railway Company. Rail traffic limited to two Amtrak trains per day. Sidewalks: (one on south side) 2.4 m
(8 ft.) wide |
History: |
The construction for a type of two-level bridge known as a two hinged spandrel-braced arch, was begun in 1896 and completed in 1897. In 1937, the name of the bridge was changed from the Niagara Railway Arch Bridge to the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge. In 1959, the Whirlpool Rapids Bridge was purchased from Niagara Falls International Bridge Company (American Half) and the Lower Niagara Arch Bridge Company (Canadian Half) by the Niagara Falls Bridge Commission, as part of major restructuring in the ownership and operation of the Niagara Gorge bridges.
|
Enabling
Legislation: |
The Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (NFBC) is a public benefit corporation of the United States created by a joint resolution of Congress on June 16, 1938, with the authority to construct, maintain and operate a bridge across the Niagara River in co-operation with the Government of Ontario. Corresponding legislation for the creation of the NFBC has never been passed in Canada. |
| Restrictions: |
No commercial traffic is allowed across the bridge, although buses and non-commercial trucks may use it. Overhead Clearance of 3.96 m (13 ft.) |
| Toll Rates: |
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission (http://niagarafallsbridges.com
/print-schedules/index.htm)
|
Traffic
Statistics: |
1999 Statistics
- 748,453 passenger cars
- 7 trucks
- 6,990 buses |
Owner
(Canadian Half): |
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
|
Operator
(Canadian Half): |
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
|
Owner
(American Half): |
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
|
Operator
(American Half): |
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
|
| Contact: |
Thomas Garlock
General Manager
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
P.O. Box 395
Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2E 6T8
Telephone: (905) 354-5641 Ext 150 |
Link to
Web Site:
|
Niagara Falls Bridge Commission
(http://niagarafallsbridges.com) |
