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This bridge is a rare example of a
truss bridge with a Pennsylvania truss configuration. It is also noteworthy for
its two-span configuration. It was built in 1922, and typical of bridges built
in this decade, has trusses and members that are more massive than those found
on metal truss bridges in earlier decades. This bridge's two spans are nearly identical. The only difference is that one span is 205 feet (62.5 meters) and the other is 210 feet (64 meters).
The bridge was rehabilitated in 1981. In 2010 this bridge was again extensively rehabilitated. Québec has a program for designating bridges with historic significance, and it has a rating system. Depending on how high a historic bridge rates, the bridge might be restored or rehabilitated. This bridge appears to have been a rehabilitation because of the large number of members that were replaced, particularly most members on the lower half of the truss. These members were replaced in-kind with the built-up members being replicated including detail like v-lacing. The only shortcoming of the rehabilitation was the use of high strength bolts instead of rivets.
The first bridge at the location dated to 1860 and was a covered bridge built by Gordon and Nugent for $8807. This bridge was located where the nearby railway bridge is located today. The bridge apparently did not last long and was destroyed by floods in April 19, 1862. Construction of the second bridge was begun in 1883 and completed in 1885 by the Dominion Bridge Company of Montréal, Québec. It was financed through a company called Drummondville Bridge Company formed by Father Majorique Marchand and some other wealthy English individuals. The photo to the right is a historical photo of this previous bridge at the location. It was a single span metal Whipple truss bridge with pin connections. This bridge was operated as a toll bridge charging five cents per car, 10 cents per vehicle drawn by a horse or an ox, 15 cents per vehicle drawn by two horses or two oxen, or two cents for a pedestrian crossing. The 1885 bridge was destroyed in 1921 by an icepack hitting the bridge which caused the bridge to collapse.
The stone substructure for the 1885 bridge was reused for the 1922 bridge. However, the pier and abutments were modified with concrete to suit the new bridge. Of note, the substructure height was increased by four feet (1.2 meters) to better protect the 1922 bridge from high water and ice levels, a sensible move since the previous two bridges had both been destroyed by high water levels.
Thanks to Bruno Robert for providing a number of details about this bridge's history and technical specifications.
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