Calgary iconic Centre Street Bridge celebrates its 100-year anniversary this year.
The city landmark, which crosses the Bow River, was built in 1916 to replace the MacArthur Bridge which collapsed during a flood in June 1915.
The two-deck bridge was built for $375,000, with the lower deck originally designed for pedestrians only.
The bridge eventually underwent an extensive rehabilitation in the 1970s and again in 2000.
Perhaps the most recognizable feature of the bridge is the set of stately lion statues that sit along the side of the structure.
The four lions were designed by a City of Calgary employee and modeled after the lions in London, England’s Trafalgar Square.
The lions guarded the bridge for 82 years, until they had deteriorated so much they were put into storage. Replica lions were then created and placed on the bridge in 2000.
The anniversary of the bridge will be celebrated on Wednesday during a ceremony at Sien Lok Park on Riverfront Avenue and 1 Street S.W.
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