All posts by Vik

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20140728. The Old Finch Avenue Bailey Bridge triptych.

20140728_1307_1308_1311-2_smallThis 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.

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20140724. Lights and stairwells create patterns on the Essroc Cement Company silos in Toronto’s port lands.

20140724. Lights and stairwells create patterns on the Essroc CeAs part of the re-naturalization of the mouth of the Don River, these silos will be decommissioned and made into a visual monument to our waterfront heritage and the company will move their operations to south of Commissioner’s Street just off Leslie St. If you have been down to the area recently you have probably noticed the new silos.

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20140723. Looking north at the West Third Street Bridge (c.1940) over the Cuyahoga River in the Flats of Cleveland.

20140723. Looking north at the West Third Street Bridge (c.1940)
Note the remains of the demolished Inner Belt Bridge in the background. The West Third Street Bridge looks great now but underwent a botched rehabilitation in 2004 including the installation of lift cables that were three feet too short! It is a Vertical Lift Pratt through Truss bridge with a navigation clearance of 100 feet.

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20140722. Enjoying the lake view from the south end of Toronto’s Lake Shore Boulevard Bailey Bridge.

20140722_1057-2From 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.