Railway Trestle Bridge

The railway bridge on trestles that stands above the small community of New Denmark, near Grand Falls, is one of the largest infrastructures in New Brunswick, but is likely little-known outside of this region.

Trains that run on this bridge give the impression of floating in the air. It is the main railway for transporting goods between Moncton and Quebec.

The 1.2 km bridge stands about 60 meters above the houses in the valley below.

At 112 years old, it was presented at the time as the second of its kind in Canada in terms of lenght.

The Daily Telegraph predicted in October 1910 that the bridge would become famous, but residents today consider it to be their best-kept secret.

source : ici.radio-canada.ca

This is Mr. Eudore Michaud. He was born in a house that is in the shadow of the bridge and still lives near the railway today. The sound of trains sets the rhythm of his daily life.

"It helps me sleep. When they pass by here at 10 o'clock, I go to bed and I know that two trains will pass", explains Mr. Michaud

CN does not comment on the height and length of the structure for fear that it will encourage people to climb it and walk illegally on the bridge.

Mr. Michaud claims that he climbed the bridge during his youth, as it was "faster than going around" to get to the other side of the river.

source : ici.radio-canada.ca

Mr. Gunnar Pedersen, another resident, turned 100 years old on September 3, 2022. He built a wooden model of the bridge with the help of his son-in-law, Ray Christensen. He didn't keep track of the number of hours spent on the project but estimates that he spent months on it.

When Mr. Pedersen moved to New Denmark with his Danish family in 1928, the bridge was already built.

source : reportage by Shane Fowler, de CBC News