East Coulee residents hope to save beloved bridge
The East Coulee Truss Bridge is very loved.
It’s one of only a few bridges to cross the Red Deer River. It used to provide pedestrian and rail access to the Atlas Coal Mine, and locals sometimes still use the bridge as a ( dangerous) walkway.
Last week, the bridge was named one of Canada’s most endangered historic sites by Heritage Canada The National Trust, but those who love it still believe it can be saved.
“I think everybody likes the bridge,” said Janine Gillespie, a Calgarian whose grandmother was the first person born in East Coulee.
“I don’t think ... people have known how to start a campaign.
“I would support it and I know my friends and family would support it.”
The truss bridge was built in 1936 and partly rebuilt after a section of it was blown up in 1948 because of ice floe damage.
Most contemporary bridges were built of metal, but the East Coulee bridge is built mainly of Douglas fir timbers — almost impossible to get today.
“It was already like an old- style even from the day it was new,” said Linda Digby, who served as executive director of the Atlas Coal Mine site for 14 years until last April.
“And, therefore, it’s really an important landmark in railway history and the creation of Canada, because that’s how the nation was linked together physically, was over bridges like this.”
John Spronken, president of engineering firm JR Spronken and Associates, said the bridge got under his skin while he was surveying it for the mine two years ago.
“From a strictly engineering point of view, it’s the most economical use of material that I can think of — it’s very, very elegant,” Spronken said.
He told the Atlas Coal Mine Historical Society that the bridge could be saved but “unfortunately, there’s not much time left … once the rot sets in, it accelerates.”
The society said it just can’t take on the cost. Although many people believe the bridge is co- owned by CN and Canadian Pacific, CP spokesperson Salem Woodrow confirmed Tuesday in an e- mail that CP is the only owner and will “continue to evaluate that ownership and next steps to take.”
The bridge is part of the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site, a designation that provides no protection. A provincial designation could provide legal protection and access to funding for conservation — up to $ 100,000 per year.
Matthew Wangler of Alberta Culture and Tourism said the province recognizes the importance of the bridge but may not have the ability to intervene.
Railway infrastructure is under federal jurisdiction, but it’s complicated because the bridge isn’t linked to a railroad anymore.
“We’ve got some pretty dedicated people who really love this bridge, so I feel cautiously optimistic that we’ll find some way to save it,” Wangler said.
Those who work at the Atlas Coal Mine historic site know how important the bridge is to locals. Former guide Nicky Nash said a family came to spread their mother’s ashes by the bridge.
“Before she passed away, she said that she wanted to go back to where she had her first kiss, her first drink, and her first cigarette,” said Nash.
Jay Russell, the curator at the Atlas Coal Mine, said the bridge was where he first held hands with his future wife.
“There’s something magical about East Coulee,” Russell said of his adopted home.
“There’s something amazing about that bridge and about the coal mine here ... Sure, they’re industrial structures, but there’s more to it than that. There’s the story.”