Gaspereaux River Bridge

Mile 44.5 on the Halifax Subdivision between Avonport and Horton Landing.

The wide and exposed tidal estuary of the Gaspereaux River at Horton Landing required extensive bridgework. Completing this bridge was one of the final challenges for the Windsor and Annapolis Railway which opened for traffic in August 1869, except for the gap between the Gaspereaux River and the Avon River. The Gaspereaux bridge was finally completed in December 1869. The first bridge was described by W. W. Clarke as a covered railway bridge.^[1] Additional bridge work was started in 1871 and was completed in 1872.^[2] The last of several DAR bridges over the Gaspereaux was built for the DAR in 1911 by the W.R. McNeil Company of New Glasgow, NS.^[3] The bridge consisted of 2 high deck plate girder spans, two steel through truss spans and 89 feet of standard piles.^[4]

Locomotive No. 24 crossing the Gaspereaux River Bridge in Horton Landing, Aug 24, 1902.
The Gaspereaux River Bridge looking east over the Gaspereaux River at Hortonville with Avonport in the distance.
CPR track profile drawing showing Horton Landing and the Gaspereaux River Bridge, Mar. 18, 1918.
Topographic map from Kentville to Hortons Landing circa 1956.
Gaspereaux River Bridge from the Horton Landing side looking eastward on July 31, 1958.
Gaspereaux Bridge looking east, built in 1911 on March 20, 2010.
Gaspereaux Bridge looking east, built in 1911 on March 20, 2010.
Gaspereaux Bridge builder's plate on March 20, 2010.
Gaspereaux Bridge looking west, built in 1911 on March 20, 2010.
Gaspereaux Bridge looking south-east from a distance, built in 1911 on March 20, 2010.
VIA Apple Blossom Special, Westbound at Gaspereaux River Bridge.