Montreal’s Forgotten Link: The Victoria Bridge
If you look at the Montreal skyline today, you will notice the iconic green structure of the Jacques-Cartier Bridge and the sleek ultra-modern Champlain Bridge. They are essential landmarks in defining the city today and will catch an observer’s eye for their impressive structures. But hiding in plain sight is a bridge that once altered the future of Montreal—the Victoria Bridge.
At one time, it was the longest bridge in the entire world, and it played a fundamental role in the way that the destiny of the city would turn out to be. Read on to discover the remarkable tale of the Victoria Bridge, how it contributed to the growth of Montreal, and why it should be remembered.
A Giant in Disguise
The Victoria Bridge spans three kilometers across the St. Lawrence River. It does not command center stage like most of its later-built counterparts, but its history speaks volumes. Inaugurated in 1859, before the birth of Canada as a Nation, this iron giant linked the growing city of Montreal with the rest of the world. It made possible the safe passage over the river’s icy waters in winter, something nobody else had managed to do before.
Up until the construction of the bridge, crossing the river had been so risky, particularly during the winter when the ice made it almost impossible for any means of transportation to pass through. The Victoria Bridge changed all that, ushering in a new era for the growth and prosperity of Montreal.
A Catalyst for Montreal's Growth
It wasn’t simply an engineering marvel; the Victoria Bridge marked the city's beginning. Though Montreal was already an important place during the mid-1800s, it wasn’t until the Victoria Bridge was completed that it became the metropolitan gem it is today.
Providing a permanent and reliable connection between the northern and southern banks of the St. Lawrence river finally allowed the creation of an important trade and industrial hub for Montreal. The city quickly became a prominent center for commerce and industry.
New commerce and manufacturing opportunities sprouted up in these sectors only after this bridge allowed faster movement of goods and people to markets within the country and worldwide. In the years following the completion of the bridge, the industrial sector and those transporting goods to market boomed. By 1886, Montreal had established itself as the center of Canada’s economy, but it wasn’t until after the construction of the Victoria Bridge.
Underneath the surface
The initial structure of the Victoria Bridge was designed as a tubular iron structure, representing one of the great engineering achievements of the 18th century. These rectangular iron tubes were made in advance in England and then shipped to Montreal for assembly on-site.
The bridge felt more like a tunnel when crossing it since it was made of a steel box through which the trains ran, sealed from the elements, ensuring safety and stability over the frozen waters of the St. Lawrence River.
It was essentially a design directly inspired by the Britannia Bridge in Wales, which had already embodied industrialized building techniques at a larger scale than ever considered before. It became a model for modern infrastructure. The box design did cause other problems, and the bridge was later retrofitted with a conventional truss structure.
Urban Development Picks Up Speed
The economic act performed by the bridge was not the only transformation that occurred in the city. Urban development reached beyond the island because there was now a viable linkage to the south shore. Neighborhoods were expanding, construction was advancing, and the infrastructure of Montreal was growing at its fastest pace ever in history.
By the 1880s, population growth was recorded from approximately 100,000 people in the 1850s to over 250,000 residents. This migration boom got support from the bridge, with workers, immigrants, and businessmen rushing for new opportunities in the city.
Factories began to spring up near the bridge to take advantage of its strategic location in terms of accessibility for labor and easy transportation to and from other parts of the country. New railway lines were constructed between Montreal and the U.S. cities, further reinforcing Montreal’s position as the continental transportation hub.
Built by Determination
The Victoria Bridge not only connected two riverbanks but also connected Montreal to the world. Built by determination, it was undoubtedly challenging to create. Over 3,000 workers toiled to bring it to life, with many as young as eight years old working through harsh Canadian winters. This practice was not uncommon in an era when child labor laws were nearly nonexistent, exposing a grim side of industrial progress where economic necessity unfortunately often outweighed human welfare. Life was harsher back then.
Iron beams were shipped over from England, a logistical accomplishment in itself. It was something of a marvel, impossible in its own right, but eventually created out of the sheer force of will. And the cost? At the time, a 6.6 million dollar price tag would be about 250 million today. But each cent spent was worth it, and the bridge became synonymous with progress.
Top Left: The entrance to the Victoria Bridge under construction in 1859, showcasing the scale of construction of this engineering marvel. Top Right: A general view of the Victoria Bridge with its original box structure, captured in 1859. A man and two children sit in the shot, evoking thoughts of the generations who have witnessed the bridge's enduring legacy over the years. Bottom left: Construction of one of the bridge's tubular spans between two piers, stretching approximately 250 feet. Captured around 1858, this photo highlights the precision and scale of the engineering efforts during this difficult time. Bottom Right: A group gathers in front of the Victoria Bridge in 1897, during a time of significant renovations to transition from the original tubular spans to steel trusses. This photograph, captured by Wm. Notman & Son, symbolizes the bridge's enduring legacy and its connection to the generations who lived in its shadow.
Underneath the surface
The Victoria Bridge revolutionized North American infrastructure. It was constructed with prefabricated superstructure parts manufactured abroad. Every segment of the bridge's superstructure was fabricated in England, transported over the Atlantic Ocean and assembled in Montreal. This allowed for slashing construction time while ensuring pinpoint accuracy and quality.
It would prove to be a highly effective industrialized assembly, a new principle in the 1850s. It showed that with global coordination and cutting-edge engineering. It is as groundbreaking as landmark structures could be and leaves a legacy that would influence large-scale construction projects worldwide.
A Game-Changer of Construction Speed
The construction methodologies applied to build the Victoria Bridge would gain a place among the most revolutionary innovations in the history of civil engineering in terms of speed and efficiency.
Most of the superstructure was fabricated in England and then shipped to Montreal, representing one of the earliest examples of industrialized construction. This had meant much faster completion of large-scale infrastructure projects than ever before, thus opening up future undertakings within the city and beyond.
The bridge's construction would set Montreal on a path toward leadership in engineering and innovation. Its completion would catalyze further infrastructural development across the town, including expansions to railway networks, roads, and public services.
Increased populations within Montreal also meant increased demands for housing, transportation, and other public amenities, and thus, construction activities continued into the 20th century.
The Legacy Lives On
Today, driving over the Victoria Bridge is like driving into the past. Unlike a modern bridge, it does not shield you from the dangers of the elements. Below your tires, the open grating makes the water below visible. The bridge boosts its 110 feet height above the strong currents below.
How humbling to think of the men who built it without the modern tools we take for granted today. Vision and perseverance brought us a structure that has stood the test of time, still standing strong today. Serving society even now, the sacrifices and the difficult working conditions that were involved with making it were made possible.
Near the bridge, there is Black Rock; in memories of about 6,000 Irish immigrants who died of ship fever in 1847-48, and many were construction workers on that bridge. Their sacrifice and the Mohawk population who helped build the bridge became a part of Montreal's history forever.
Why We Should Remember
It has made enormous contributions, yet the Victoria Bridge has receded into the background. Thus, it is not celebrated like Montreal’s other bridges but should be. This engineering marvel does far more than the span between two banks; it speaks creatively of human resourcefulness, resilience, and the spirit of a city coming into its own.
The growth of Montreal would probably not have happened without the Victoria Bridge. Its role in trade and later industrial attraction, as well as a driver of population growth, makes it one of the most important structures in the city’s history. Still, it goes unnoticed amidst other newer, more visually striking landmarks.
A Call to Rediscover
The next time you cross the St. Lawrence, consider taking the victoria bridge. While Crossing the bridge, open your windows and look around as the bridge lets you know its presence. It's worth the experience. Perhaps you’re a commuter or have an interest in old urban architecture and find something inspiring in its legacy. Let’s not forget the Victoria Bridge — it symbolizes what you can accomplish when you dream big and follow through.
References and More Information
Canadian Society for Civil Engineering - Victoria Bridge: https://legacy.csce.ca/en/historic-site/victoria-bridge/
Wikipedia - Victoria Bridge (Montreal): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victoria_Bridge_(Montreal)
The Canadian Encyclopedia - Child Labour: https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/child-labour
Irish Commemorative Stone - Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Commemorative_Stone
