Confederation Bridge

The Confederation Bridge is in Canada.

It goes over the sea from the mainland to Prince Edward Island. Cars and trucks drive across it.

The Confederation Bridge joins two Canadian provinces: Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. It runs from Borden-Carleton on the island to Cape Jourimain on the mainland.

The bridge is 12.9 kilometers long and curves across the Northumberland Strait. Its operator says it is the longest bridge in the world crossing ice-covered water. Pack ice flows through the strait every winter.

The toll bridge spans a 12.9 km stretch of the Northumberland Strait between Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick. Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, which operates it, and The Canadian Encyclopedia both call it the longest bridge in the world crossing ice-covered water.

Before it opened, the crossing was made by ferry between Borden and Cape Tormentine. The Canadian Encyclopedia notes that in winter thick ice jammed the strait, and in the early days the ferry service was often disrupted for days.

On very windy days, some tall trucks may have to wait to cross.

People on foot or on bikes ride a shuttle across the bridge.

Bridge Control watches the wind all day and night. When strong winds blow, tall vehicles, motorcycles and vehicles towing things may have to wait. Walkers and cyclists are not allowed on the bridge, so a shuttle carries them across.

While the bridge was being built, the builders made new places for lobsters on the sea floor and put up nesting platforms for ospreys. In 2011 the bridge's 315 road lights began to be replaced with LED lights that use less energy.

Travel restrictions may apply when steady winds at the bridge exceed 70 km/h with gusts consistently above 85 km/h, usually only for high-sided vehicles (over 2.2 m), motorcycles and vehicles towing objects. Pedestrians and cyclists use a shuttle that runs from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

During development, SCDI worked with marine scientists to place dredged material in unproductive areas of the strait as a Lobster Habitat Enhancement Program, and built osprey nesting platforms in the Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Area. In 2011 the operator began replacing its 315 roadway lights, which used 45% of the operation's energy, with LED lighting.

In this photo, the long gray bridge curves away over the blue water.

It stands on tall legs with round arches between them.

This photo was taken on 19 September 2008. It shows the bridge's concrete piers and curved arches, with light poles along the road, as the bridge curves away across the strait. A road sign hangs over the road on the left.

About 75,000 people came to celebrate the opening in 1997, with the chance to walk or run across the bridge. Recently the road surface was renewed, to help the bridge last its full 100 years.

The photograph (Wladyslaw, own work, 19 September 2008) looks along the bridge from beside its approach, with the arched girders on tall piers, roadway lights, and the strait beyond; an overhead electronic road sign stands at the left.

An estimated 75,000 people turned out for the opening on 31 May 1997, with the chance to walk or run across. A federal advisory committee asked the public for names; some 2,200 people sent suggestions, and the winning name was announced on 27 September 1996. The operator's recent resurfacing, which it calls the most significant work undertaken since the bridge was built, helps ensure the 100-year lifespan is met or exceeded.