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Provencher Bridge (Winnipeg)
Encyclopedia
The Provencher Bridge is a bridge across the Red River
in Winnipeg, Manitoba
, Canada
. The bridge links downtown Winnipeg
with St. Boniface
, a Winnipeg community across the Red River
. The Provencher Bridge derived its name from the connecting Boulevard Provencher (Provencher Boulevard).
The bridge serves Route 57
and is a main connector from Downtown Winnipeg
to most of the eastern communities in Winnipeg
. The speed limit
on the bridge is 50 km/h (31 mph).
was by ferry linking Broadway on the west with Provencher Blvd on the east. The ferry route was cancelled in 1879 after a bridge proposal was made.
The third bridge (the "modern bridge") actually consists of two bridges, a vehicular bridge and a pedestrian bridge. The vehicular bridge's plan was originally designed to connect York and St. Mary Avenues to Provencher Boulevard, but it was cancelled in 1997. The lands for the St. Mary-York-Provencher connection are now being used for the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
. The vehicular bridge was constructed in 2001 and completed in September 2003. The pedestrian bridge was constructed later, and was completed the same year.
(Named for Louis Riel
, the Father of Manitoba), parallels the new Broadway bridge, and is a side-spar cable-stayed bridge
designed by Étienne Gaboury, Architect and Colin Douglas Stewart of Wardrop Engineering
. Some people were displeased with the look of the bridge, stating it resembled a phallic symbol. Others questioned whether the bridge was an appropriate or necessary use of public funds. Many of these initial negative opinions changed with the passage of time. The bridge is now frequently featured in post-cards and in other media as being representative of the City of Winnipeg. The bridge started construction in August 2002, and was completed the same year as the vehicular bridge. The unique piece of the Esplanade Riel is the restaurant
in the middle of the bridge. This restaurant is a Salisbury House
restaurant, a popular chain restaurant in Manitoba
. The restaurant is partly owned by Burton Cummings
of the Guess Who
. Originally designed to house an upscale restaurant, a suitable tenant could not be found that was willing to live with the unique challenges of operating from a location in which supplies would have to be brought in on foot, and the location was awarded to Salisbury House, upsetting many locals not thrilled with the prospect of a new local landmark housing a diner.
On July 2, 2007, garage rock duo The White Stripes
played on the bridge's walking path to a crowd of about 50 excited fans. The impromptu show was part of a series of 'secret shows' the band had been playing during their 2007 Canadian tour. The band played two of their own songs: "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do as Your Told)" and "We're Going to Be Friends
", and then played a song with a busker who had been playing on the bridge earlier. The performance was filmed for The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights documentary film.
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
in Winnipeg, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The bridge links downtown Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
with St. Boniface
Saint Boniface, Manitoba
Saint Boniface is a city ward of Winnipeg, home to much of the Franco-Manitoban community. It features such landmarks as the Cathédrale de Saint Boniface , Boulevard Provencher, the Provencher Bridge, Esplanade Riel, St. Boniface Hospital, the Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface and the Royal...
, a Winnipeg community across the Red River
Red River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
. The Provencher Bridge derived its name from the connecting Boulevard Provencher (Provencher Boulevard).
The bridge serves Route 57
Winnipeg Route 57
Route 57 is a major arterial road located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It connects the suburbs of St. James and St. Boniface with the city's West End and the downtown core.The route begins on Dublin Avenue in the St. James Industrial Area of the city's northwest...
and is a main connector from Downtown Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
to most of the eastern communities in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
. The speed limit
Speed limit
Road speed limits are used in most countries to regulate the speed of road vehicles. Speed limits may define maximum , minimum or no speed limit and are normally indicated using a traffic sign...
on the bridge is 50 km/h (31 mph).
Ferries
The first way of crossing the Red RiverRed River of the North
The Red River is a North American river. Originating at the confluence of the Bois de Sioux and Otter Tail rivers in the United States, it flows northward through the Red River Valley and forms the border between the U.S. states of Minnesota and North Dakota before continuing into Manitoba, Canada...
was by ferry linking Broadway on the west with Provencher Blvd on the east. The ferry route was cancelled in 1879 after a bridge proposal was made.
The first bridge
The first bridge (the "old bridge") was originally named the Broadway bridge because it connected with Broadway on the other side, which is in direct line of sight with Provencher. Construction began in 1881 and was completed in April 1882. Disaster struck three days later, wiping away two spans of the bridge, but repairs were completed later that same month. The bridge was demolished in 1917 after a proposal for a newer one.The second bridge
The second bridge was opened in 1918 to replace the old Broadway bridge. Instead of linking with Broadway, it was oriented slightly to the north; traffic crossing from the east was sent even further north, eventually connecting with Main Street about 500 metres from Broadway. Construction began in 1911 and was completed in 1912. Streetcars began operating on the bridge on December 3, 1925. The second bridge was dismantled in 2001 for the opening of the third (current) bridge.The third bridge
Canadian Museum for Human Rights
The Canadian Museum for Human Rights is a national museum currently under construction in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada at the historic Forks where the Assiniboine and Red Rivers meet...
. The vehicular bridge was constructed in 2001 and completed in September 2003. The pedestrian bridge was constructed later, and was completed the same year.
The vehicular bridge
The vehicular part of the modern bridge is slightly curved, unlike the old bridge which was completely straight and at a slight angle. Construction of the vehicular bridge began on July 20, 2001. Two years later, in September, the vehicular bridge was completed.The pedestrian bridge
The pedestrian bridge, or the Esplanade RielEsplanade Riel
The Esplanade Riel is a pedestrian bridge located in Winnipeg, Manitoba designed by Colin Douglas Stewart of Wardrop Engineering and Étienne Gaboury, Architect and completed in 2003. It spans the Red River connecting downtown Winnipeg with St. Boniface. It is paired with a vehicular bridge,...
(Named for Louis Riel
Louis Riel
Louis David Riel was a Canadian politician, a founder of the province of Manitoba, and a political and spiritual leader of the Métis people of the Canadian prairies. He led two resistance movements against the Canadian government and its first post-Confederation Prime Minister, Sir John A....
, the Father of Manitoba), parallels the new Broadway bridge, and is a side-spar cable-stayed bridge
Side-spar cable-stayed bridge
A side-spar cable-stayed bridge may be an otherwise conventional cable-stayed bridge but its cable support does not span the roadway, rather being cantilevered from one side. The bridge illustrated is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada...
designed by Étienne Gaboury, Architect and Colin Douglas Stewart of Wardrop Engineering
Wardrop Engineering Inc.
-Company profile:Les Wardrop started Wardrop Engineering Inc. in 1955 with the founding principle to establish an enterprise that valued its people above everything else. In fact, Les guaranteed his first group of employees a job for a year and put his own money on the line to form the first...
. Some people were displeased with the look of the bridge, stating it resembled a phallic symbol. Others questioned whether the bridge was an appropriate or necessary use of public funds. Many of these initial negative opinions changed with the passage of time. The bridge is now frequently featured in post-cards and in other media as being representative of the City of Winnipeg. The bridge started construction in August 2002, and was completed the same year as the vehicular bridge. The unique piece of the Esplanade Riel is the restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
in the middle of the bridge. This restaurant is a Salisbury House
Salisbury House (restaurant)
Salisbury House is a restaurant chain based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Known locally as "Sals," the chain is considered a Winnipeg institution....
restaurant, a popular chain restaurant in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
. The restaurant is partly owned by Burton Cummings
Burton Cummings
Burton L. Cummings, OC, OM is a Canadian musician and songwriter.He was the lead singer and frequent keyboardist for the Canadian rock band The Guess Who...
of the Guess Who
The Guess Who
The Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
. Originally designed to house an upscale restaurant, a suitable tenant could not be found that was willing to live with the unique challenges of operating from a location in which supplies would have to be brought in on foot, and the location was awarded to Salisbury House, upsetting many locals not thrilled with the prospect of a new local landmark housing a diner.
The White Stripes
The White Stripes
The White Stripes was an American rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The group consisted of the songwriter Jack White and drummer Meg White . Jack and Meg White were previously married to each other, but are now divorced...
played on the bridge's walking path to a crowd of about 50 excited fans. The impromptu show was part of a series of 'secret shows' the band had been playing during their 2007 Canadian tour. The band played two of their own songs: "You Don't Know What Love Is (You Just Do as Your Told)" and "We're Going to Be Friends
We're Going to Be Friends
"We're Going to Be Friends" is a promotional single by the American alternative rock band White Stripes from their album White Blood Cells. It was released in late 2002, and tells the story of meeting a new friend at the beginning of a school year...
", and then played a song with a busker who had been playing on the bridge earlier. The performance was filmed for The White Stripes Under Great White Northern Lights documentary film.