Blue Bridge to Nowhere

Our subject, the Blue Bridge to Nowhere, is about a century old, but as you’ll note it’s not seen use for some time now. Many decades ago the road along here got bypassed, yet interestingly the span didn’t get removed at the time. Old records suggest it still had a purpose, initially ay least, to allow a rancher to reach property on the far side of the little creek, but clearly it’s not needed in that capacity anymore.

Coming from the Winnipeg Manitoba branch of Dominion Bridge, it’s one of countless structures from this plant, of the same era and similar in form, found on Alberta backroads. This factory had the market cornered out this way and it’s amazing how many bridges they built that are still in use, so long after being made. What a testament to their solid design and construction.

Dominion Bridge had operations country-wide, producing all manner of steelwork, but Winnipeg specialized in small, lighter duty bridges like this. Calgary’s served the petroleum industry although they fabricated other things of steel as well. Today, those buildings have been repurposed and make movie sets.

The Dominion Bridge firm began a downward spiral in the 1970s, and is now a memory, although many things they made are still in use. That’s especially so when it comes to bridges, of all types they made and the steelwork they supplied to various office buildings across the nation.

Most truss bridges of this type, across the province, seem to be in this same blue colour, although we’ve seen some in silver as well. This one, like most backroad examples of the era, is single lane and with a replaceable wood plank deck. In operation drivers simply yielded to oncoming traffic and who ever arrived first got to cross first.

These small crossings were typically one span affairs and could be of varying lengths. A few longer versions were made, for bigger river crossings, with multiple spans supported by intermediate piers.

This one is of the common Pratt design (developed 1840s), which is a simple, effect and economical to construct truss arrangement. In this form, diagonals slope down and inwards (with those in the centre sometimes taking an X form) and are in tension. These were common for modest span road bridges, at least into the 1920s, if not a bit beyond, and also for railway spans of the time.

Present day, a truss bridge like this limits clearance and this can be a problem for anything oversized in width and/or height. Like farm machinery for example. These old timers are often weight restricted as well, but that’s hardly surprising given their age. So anything big and heavy just has to find another way through, but out in rural parts, that’s how it goes anyway. What we in the city take for granted, is often much more difficult in the country.

Bridges today, including the replacement for this one, are usually open deck style which minimally addresses any dimensional shortcomings. This newer span sits out of sight from this angle and is a bit downstream.

The meandering road to which the Blue Bridge to Nowhere is connected seems to date back to at least the 1920s, although we’re pulling from obscure records, so at best it’s a rough guess. It could even be older and the bridge we assume of similar age. Old records are spotty.

Out in a rolling hills of SW Alberta, there’s not a straight line to be had, so the current road changes from township (which align E/W) to range (which align N/S) and back, many times. Out on the prairies, the two types take on an orderly grid form, but here in the hills, they’re snake like.

This old section of road and it’s a fairly long stretch at that, got bypassed sometime part way into the 1970s. We think. No records could be found, but that the bridge displays old imperial signage suggests so. There was a wholesale change over to metric by later that decade so had it happened much after, it would have read metres instead of feet.

It’s not said why the road got bypassed, but the old bridge may have had something to do with it. The former road also looks like it could be prone to snow build up, which may also have been a contributing factor.

When we say changeover, we mean at government levels and it was never fully embraced by the populace out here in the country. Even today, old timers in rural areas might speak of feet, miles, gallons or pounds. Traditions die hard and that’s understandable.

In one old (and brief) record it’s suggested that bridge was kept so access could be had to a pasture on the far side for a local ranch, but we found nothing else to corroborate that. But it’s puzzling, as the same pasture could be easily accessed from the new rerouted road as well. Make of it what you will.

In any case, and perhaps for reasons beyond what we know, the Blue Bridge remained in place. Usually old infrastructure is removed and the area reclaimed when a reroute takes place. The wood deck of this one is rotted, so it’s clearly been some time since anyone used it. Otherwise it’s looks to be in pretty good shape, not that we’re not bridge engineers or anything. As we always say.

The rerouted road is a bit of distance away, so the only sound we hear is that of the wind, and the lazy creek gurgling below. It’s a scenic little spot, made a little more special thanks to this odd little bit of history that curiously was left behind.

Know more (new tab): Pratt Truss Bridges.

They’re saying…

”Love your photos! I share the love for abandoned and forgotten places and things…thank you!” Alannah Maria.

More…
Bridge Hunting: Brilliant BC.
Taunton/Fortner Bridge.
Bridge Hunting – Waneta British Columbia.

If you wish more information on what’s seen here, don’t hesitate to: contact us!

Date of Adventure: September, 2021.
Location(s): Middle of Nowhere, Alberta.
Article references: Alberta Ministry of Transportation, Highways Department and local history books.

The disused Blue Bridge to Nowhere.

From the Winnipeg MB plant of Dominion Bridge.

Pre-metric signage.

It’s not in bad shape overall, except for the wood decking.

In a scenic little spot out in the country.

The structure is about a century old.