Cummings Bridge
Bridge in Ontario, Canada
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Cummings Bridge in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, crosses the Rideau River, connecting Rideau Street to Montreal Road in Vanier. It is a multi-span open spandrel arch bridge, constructed in 1921 and renovated in 1996.[1]
Cummings Bridge | |
|---|---|
| |
| Coordinates | 45.433199°N 75.6712°W |
| Carries | 4-lane road, sidewalks, bicycle lane |
| Crosses | Rideau River |
| Locale | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Named for | Charles Cummings |
| Characteristics | |
| Material | Reinforced concrete |
| Total length | 213 m (699 ft)[1] |
| Width | 18.21 m (59.7 ft)[1] |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1921 |
| Rebuilt | 1996 |
| Location | |
 Interactive map of Cummings Bridge | |
History
The area east of the Cummings Bridge, later named Vanier was first linked to the Sandy Hill area of Ottawa with a wooden bridge erected in 1835, which went over Cummings Island in the Rideau River. The Cummings family settled the island, had a store there, and the island and bridge there became associated with the Cummings name.[2] In 1891, the old wooden bridge was replaced by a steel bridge, which the city wanted to name Bingham's Bridge, after Ottawa mayor Samuel Bingham, but this name never caught on.[3]
The current bridge was constructed in 1921, some 12 metres (39 ft) downstream from the steel bridge, bypassing Cummings Island.[3]
Charles Cummings had a son, Robert Cummings who became Reeve of Gloucester Township and Warden of Carleton County, Ontario. [4]