Advertisement

Calgary’s Centre Street Bridge celebrates 100-year anniversary

Click to play video: 'Calgary’s Centre Street Bridge turns 100'
Calgary’s Centre Street Bridge turns 100
WATCH ABOVE: Calgary’s historic centre street bridge is celebrating a major milestone; it’s been standing for 100 years. Global’s Doug Vaessen was at the celebration – Jul 27, 2016

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.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

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.

Story continues below advertisement

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.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiEDT1m7QTc

Sponsored content

AdChoices