(aka: Edwards Way Bridge, The Pony Truss Bridge OR The Bridge to Nowhere)
Airdrie’s first Municipal Historic Resource
“It is the last remaining structure associated with the railway station grounds and grain elevators in Airdrie”
Constructed in 1928, the Nose Creek Bridge to the Elevators provided a new route to the grain elevators that once stood at the station grounds directly southeast of the bridge. The bridge was a part of a wave of new and improved infrastructure designed to keep pace with settlement. It provided a critical and continuous link for traffic between the south and north elevators from 1928 to 1983, and subsequently as a footpath across Nose Creek.
Its 80-foot pony truss design remains true to its original plans supplied by the renowned Dominion Bridge Company, and characterizes early bridge construction in Alberta. This open design, low (‘pony’) truss with a narrow width, had enough strength to support a 20-ton truck without requiring an additional support or an upper truss.
A unique example of a traffic bridge not located on a working road (The Bridge to Nowhere), it is the last remaining structure associated with the railway station grounds and grain elevators in Airdrie.
The 1928 Nose Creek Bridge to the Elevators symbolizes our agricultural origin, and remains a local historic landmark. In June 2019, city council passed a bylaw protecting the bridge as Airdrie’s first Municipal Historic Resource, ensuring the bridge’s future in Airdrie.
In May 2015, a fire damaged much of the wood at the south end of the bridge and forced its closure; however, a full restoration will be launched in 2019/2020. This will bring back its original character and pony truss design. It will also put it back into use as a part of Airdrie’s leg of the Great Trail (Trans Canada Trail). Located in a park setting, crossing Nose Creek, it will continue to be a historic landmark for all to use and enjoy.
The 1928 Nose Creek Bridge to the Elevators can be seen from Railway Avenue and the bridge on First Avenue West.
Heritage Preservation work in Airdrie comes via the City’s Cultural Action Plan. To learn more and/or participate, contact Airdrie Community Development or visit airdrie.ca/history
