South Maitland Bridge

Subdivision Truro, Mile 40.98

This large bridge crossed the Shubenacadie River at South Maitland. Completed in 1901, the bridge had to overcome the rise and fall of 45 foot tides, massive currents, tidal bores and provide a swing span for sailing vessels. The massive construction project claimed the lives of five workers. One was killed when he fell from a gangplank while taking gravel in a wheelbarrow to a construction scow and four more died when one of the underwater caissons was flooded by a careless worker.^[1]

The bridge was 1225 feet long. It consisted of one deck plate girder swing span and five through truss spans, all supported by concrete piers.^[2]

The bridge was abandoned along with the rest of the Midland Subdivision in 1983. The last train, a work extra taking railway ties from Truro to Windsor, crossed the bridge on June 20, 1983. The spans were subsequently demolished, but the piers remained. In recent years a walkway and lookout was constructed using several of the piers on the west bank of the river.

Gallery

The South Maitland Bridge under construction, circa 1900.
A truss span arrives at the South Maitland Bridge, circa 1900.
A truss span moves into place at the South Maitland Bridge, circa 1900.
MRC Locomotive No. 1 on the South Maitland Bridge construction site, circa 1900.
South Maitland Bridge, Nova Scotia Museum postcard, circa 1910.
Steam Engine with two cars - unknown date
South Maitland Bridge over the Schubenacadie River near South Maitland on August 1, 1958.
South Maitland Bridge over the Schubenacadie River, near South Maitland from the rear of Train No. 22 on August 1, 1958.
South Maitland Bridge, west bank, May 2, 1987.
The South Maitland Bridge, east bank, May 2, 1987.