This beautiful bridge is noted for its number of spans. The bridge was constructed in 1908 by the Canadian Bridge Company. It is a five span Parker through truss. At the time of its completion, Finlay Bridge was the longest steel bridge in Alberta. The Finlay Bridge was named a Municipal Historic Resource by the City of Medicine Hat in 2011.
Above: Historical photo of bridge.
Above: Historical photo of bridge.
Information and Findings From Alberta Register of Historic Places
Discussion of Bridge
Description of Historic Place Finlay Bridge is a
traffic and foot bridge crossing the South Saskatchewan River,
connecting the north (Riverside) and south side (Downtown) of Medicine
Hat. Constructed of steel, concrete, and wood, this 900 foot span,
officially opened on May 14, 1908
Heritage Value The
historical significance in the Finlay Bridge lies with the impact it had
for the people of Medicine Hat and southeast Alberta in the first half
of the twentieth century, its size, and its namesake and most vocal
advocate, William Thomas Finlay.
Finlay Bridge officially opened
on May 14, 1908. Although Medicine Hats two banks had been connected by
a rail bridge since 1883 and a small ferry service originally operated
by the North West Mounted Police, Finlay Bridge meant that Medicine Hat
and Southeast Alberta were truly linked to the rest of the new province
of Alberta.
Finlay Bridge is named for William T. Finlay: Mayor
of Medicine Hat from 1900-1902, representative for Medicine Hat in the
Territorial Government 1902-1905, and Medicine Hats first
representative in the Alberta Legislature 1905-1910. As MLA and Minister
of Agriculture, he advocated for many improvements to the region,
perhaps most notably the bridge.
Structurally, Finlay Bridge
consists of abutments on each bank of the river, 4 concrete piers (40
feet of which are above the bed and 25 feet which are below), and five
steel arches (measuring 31 feet in height and are 180 feet length). The
bridge as originally constructed was 28 feet wide with a wood deck and a
wood sidewalk running along the west side of traffic. A six foot
sidewalk was later added between 1908 and 1917 on the east side of
traffic. At the time of construction, Finlay Bridge was the longest
steel bridge in Alberta, and the second longest across the South
Saskatchewan when built. The Traffic (Victoria) Bridge in Saskatoon
which was completed months earlier and was modestly longer, however, is
now closed.
Character-Defining Elements The character-defining
elements include:
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