This is one of only three bailey bridges in the Greater Toronto Area. This particular bridge (in Markham) dates back to 1954. It was built by the Canadian Military Engineers in three days after Hurricane Hazel hit Toronto and washed out the original bridge.
Although hard to see in the bottom image, the bailey bridge does not actually make contact with the original bridge foundation.
Interestingly, bailey bridges are usually considered temporary structures but this bridge has been in place for 60 years.
From Wikipedia: A Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge developed by the British during World War II. A Bailey bridge required no special tools or heavy equipment to construct. The wood and steel bridge elements were small and light enough to be carried in trucks and lifted into place by hand, without requiring the use of a crane. The bridges were strong enough to carry tanks. Bailey bridges continue to be extensively used in civil engineering construction projects and to provide temporary crossings for foot and vehicle traffic.
Urban Photography of Toronto and beyond by Vik Pahwa (vik@vikpahwa.com)
