Historical Cantilever Bridge in Bowring Park Reopens to Public Following Rehabilitation

The City of St. John’s is pleased to announce the reopening of the Bowring Park Cantilever Bridge, which was closed in May for repair and maintenance work to rehabilitate the bridge.

The Cantilever Bridge is a significant Heritage structure in St. John’s which received Provincial and Municipal Heritage Designation in 2020 due to its age, architectural and environmental values.

To help maintain this important heritage structure, the construction project involved general reinforced concrete rehabilitation works, graffiti removal, replacement of handrailing, waterproofing and paving the bridge deck.

The work was completed with guidance from a heritage consultant, as well as an engineering consultant for the structural design.

The Cantilever Bridge is located at 100 Bowring Park Road. The graceful concrete bridge arches over the former railway track, which today forms the Newfoundland T’Railway Provincial Park walking path. The cantilever style of the bridge means it is anchored on only one end, with the other end hovering slightly above the ground with stairs extending outwards.

Historical Significance

According to Heritage NL, the bridge is not only noteworthy for its bold, innovative modern design but also for the role of its nationally and internationally prominent designers.

In 1958, the City commissioned Montreal architect firm, van Ginkel Associates, to work on a new development plan for Bowring Park that included new amenities, a pedestrian bridge and road bridge. The van Ginkel’s designed the Cantilever Bridge and invited the UK based engineering firm Ove Arup and Partners – an internationally recognized firm that became well-known for its work on the Sydney Opera House – to undertake the engineering work on the bridge. Blanche van Ginkel was awarded the Massey Medal recognizing outstanding achievement in the field of architecture for the bridge’s design in 1964.

You can learn more about the significance of the bridge on the Heritage NL website.