Walterdale Bridge, Edmonton

This is a tale of two bridges. Well, one bridge, but old and new versions.

The bridge at the foot of Walterdale Hill is called, not surprisingly, Walterdale Bridge (although I have a deplorable tendency to refer to it as the Low-Level Bridge. There is a Low-Level Bridge in Edmonton, but in another location).

Anyway, this bridge – the Walterdale – is being replaced. It’s a truss bridge, but its defining characteristic for me as a kid was its steel grating, which resonated oddly under the car tires, making a thrumming vibration as we drove over it.

The new bridge has arches and something called “thrust piers” which means pretty much nothing to me. Anyway, enough techie stuff, mostly because I don’t know any more. On my recent trip to Edmonton for a family wedding, I was resolved to get a picture of the old and new bridges together. As it turned out, I did better than that.

Taking pictures that I like of bridges that I like is an ongoing learning experience. How can I get a shot that is interesting, attractive, and accurate? Where should I stand? How close can I stand? I have a tendency to think that closer is better, and it’s not always true.

In this case, I started on the High-Level Bridge, looking straight on. Then I moved closer, onto the bridge itself. Then I had a shot from the hill overlooking the construction. That’s not one I’d planned to take, and it’s the one I like the best.

Straight-on view from High-Level Bridge

Moving closer: At the entry to the first truss.

Too close, too close! Pull back!

Pulled way back: View from North Saskatchewan Drive, looking north over the river valley.

I’m happy with my little series of shots, but I do wonder if there will come a moment when both bridges are still there, but the construction cranes are not . . .

If you’re interested in this replacement project, the City of Edmonton has a great site dedicated to it.