HistoricBridges.org Menu: HistoricBridges.org Menu:


We Recommend:
Bach Steel - Experts at historic truss bridge restoration.

HistoricBridges.org: Bridge Browser

Pont Turcotte

Pont Turcotte

Primary Photographer(s): Nathan Holth

Bridge Documented: April 13, 2011 and July 5, 2019

View Photos
and Videos
View Maps
and Links

Facility Carried / Feature Intersected
Route Marie-Victorin (QC-132) Over Rivière Richelieu
Location
Sorel-Tracy: Montérégie, Québec: Canada
Structure Type
Metal Rivet-Connected Warren Railing Height Truss, Movable: Double Leaf Bascule (Fixed Trunnion) and Approach Spans: Metal 7 Panel Rivet-Connected Deck Truss, Fixed
Construction Date and Builder / Engineer
1932 By Builder/Contractor: Dominion Bridge Company of Montréal, Québec
Rehabilitation Date
2001
Main Span Length
200.0 Feet (61 Meters)
Structure Length
889.0 Feet (271 Meters)
Roadway Width
39.4 Feet (12.01 Meters)
Spans
1 Main Span(s) and 12 Approach Span(s)
Inventory Number
Not Applicable

Historic Significance Rating (HSR)
View Information About HSR Ratings

Bridge Documentation

This double-leaf bascule bridge is a rare example of a bascule bridge with a truss superstructure in Canada. The bridge's bascule span has trusses arranged so that it is essentially a deck truss with the trusses positioned so that they are are also above the deck slightly like a pony truss. This increases the vertical clearance under the bridge when the bridge is lowered, and it allows the trusses to function as a railing on the deck. This "railing-height" truss design was pioneered in Chicago, Illinois in 1922 on the Madison Street Bridge.

This bridge is very unusual among bascule bridges because it also displays the characteristics of a high level bridge. A substantial series of approach spans constructed at a grade provide a bascule span that crosses the river at a considerable height. Bascule bridges were typically constructed in areas where the long approach system for a high level bridge was undesirable. That this bridge still requires a movable span even at the height of its main span, indicates that large boats use this waterway. The construction of a partially high-level bridge with a movable span likely tried to combine the best of both worlds: the bridge is high enough so that it does not need to open for small boats, but for large boats that would require an enormous amount of clearance, the bridge can open to let them pass.

The approach spans are noteworthy on this bridge largely because they include an attractive deck truss approach span at each end of the bascule span. The deck truss spans are each 120 feet (26.6 meters) and are unusual because they appears to be deeper at one end, specifically the end next to the bascule span. The remaining 10 approach spans are concrete and have span lengths of 45 feet (13.7 meters).

This bridge was operated up to 400 times a year in the late 1970s. Operation dropped to less than five times a year in the 2000s. The bridge was rehabilitated extensively starting in 2001. The bridge had been damaged by collisions with boats, which complicated rehabilitation somewhat. Sadly, due to collision damage, the northern truss of the eastern approach deck truss span appears to have been completely replaced. It appears that this replacement was not in-kind, meaning that the new truss lacks details such as built-up beams with lattice. Despite alteration, the overall bridge retains its original appearance, and other areas of the bridge show less substantial loss of original material and design.

YouTube Videos showing bridge in raised position: Video 1, Video 2, Video 3.

View An Article Discussing This Bridge And A Rehabilitation Project

Divider

Photo Galleries and Videos: Pont Turcotte

 

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Original / Full Size Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery offers photos in the highest available resolution and file size in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

View Photo Gallery

Bridge Photo-Documentation

Mobile Optimized Photos
A collection of overview and detail photos. This gallery features data-friendly, fast-loading photos in a touch-friendly popup viewer.
Alternatively, Browse Without Using Viewer

Divider

Maps and Links: Pont Turcotte

Coordinates (Latitude, Longitude):

Search For Additional Bridge Listings:

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 0.5 miles (0.8 kilometers) of this bridge.

HistoricBridges.org Bridge Browser: View listed bridges within 10 miles (16 kilometers) of this bridge.

Additional Maps:

Google Maps

Google Streetview (If Available)

Bing Maps

OpenStreetMap

GeoHack (Additional Links and Coordinates)

Apple Maps (Via DuckDuckGo Search)

Apple Maps (Apple devices only)

MapQuest

HERE We Go Maps

ACME Mapper

Waze Map

Android: Open Location In Your Map or GPS App

Flickr Gallery (Find Nearby Photos)

Wikimedia Commons (Find Nearby Photos)

Directions Via Sygic For Android

Directions Via Sygic For iOS and Android Dolphin Browser


Divider
 
Home Top

Divider

About - Contact

© Copyright 2003-2024, HistoricBridges.org. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private citizens. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. While we strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no guarantee of accuracy. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied. Information could include technical inaccuracies or errors of omission. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose images may appear on the page in which the commentary appears. HistoricBridges.org does not bear any responsibility for any consequences resulting from the use of this or any other HistoricBridges.org information. Owners and users of bridges have the responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information.

Admin Login

Divider