In pictures: Winnipeg’s Arlington Bridge through the years By: Winnipeg Free Press Posted: Last Modified: Updates

Despite its troubled history and uncertain future, the Arlington Bridge has remained an icon in Winnipeg's skyline for more than a century.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/11/2023 (971 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Despite its troubled history and uncertain future, the Arlington Bridge has remained an icon in Winnipeg’s skyline for more than a century.

The bridge was opened to traffic in 1912 and discussion has swirled about its deterioration and potential plans for replacement since the 1960s.

The Arlington Bridge opened to traffic on Feb. 6, 1912. The bridge cost the city $260,000, about $6.7 million in 2023 dollars. No formal opening ceremony was held; one was expected in the spring once ornamental lighting was installed. (The lighting was never installed.) (Winnipeg Free Press Archives)
The Arlington Bridge opened to traffic on Feb. 6, 1912. The bridge cost the city $260,000, about $6.7 million in 2023 dollars. No formal opening ceremony was held; one was expected in the spring once ornamental lighting was installed. (The lighting was never installed.) (Winnipeg Free Press Archives)
The Arlington Bridge is seen in a 1946 photo. (City of Winnipeg Archives)
The Arlington Bridge is seen in a 1946 photo. (City of Winnipeg Archives)
The Arlington Bridge is seen from the corner of Arlington Street and Logan Avenue in a 1948 photo. (City of Winnipeg Archives)
The Arlington Bridge is seen from the corner of Arlington Street and Logan Avenue in a 1948 photo. (City of Winnipeg Archives)
This aerial view of the Canadian Pacific Railway yards in 1964 shows a section of the yards between the Arlington and Salter Street bridges. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
This aerial view of the Canadian Pacific Railway yards in 1964 shows a section of the yards between the Arlington and Salter Street bridges. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
The CP Rail marshaling yards, among the largest in the world, is seen in 1968. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
The CP Rail marshaling yards, among the largest in the world, is seen in 1968. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
The south end of the Arlington Bridge is seen in 1979. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
The south end of the Arlington Bridge is seen in 1979. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
An aerial photo of the CP Rail Yard in 1980. (Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press files)
An aerial photo of the CP Rail Yard in 1980. (Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press files)
An aerial photo of the CP Rail Yard with the Arlington Street Bridge in 1980. (Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press files)
An aerial photo of the CP Rail Yard with the Arlington Street Bridge in 1980. (Ken Gigliotti / Winnipeg Free Press files)
An aerial photo from 1981 looking west over the CP Rail Yard with the Slaw Rebchuk Bridge in the foreground. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
An aerial photo from 1981 looking west over the CP Rail Yard with the Slaw Rebchuk Bridge in the foreground. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge was closed for 13 days for inspections and repairs in 2008. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge was closed for 13 days for inspections and repairs in 2008. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
A pedestrian crosses the Arlington bridge at sunset in 2011. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
A pedestrian crosses the Arlington bridge at sunset in 2011. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
A massive flock of birds rises over the Arlington Street bridge in March 2013. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
A massive flock of birds rises over the Arlington Street bridge in March 2013. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
A cyclist crosses the Arlington Street Bridge in 2013. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
A cyclist crosses the Arlington Street Bridge in 2013. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The view of the CPR Winnipeg Yards and the Arlington Bridge looking west from the Slaw Rebchuk Bridge. ( Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The view of the CPR Winnipeg Yards and the Arlington Bridge looking west from the Slaw Rebchuk Bridge. ( Wayne Glowacki / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge in 2015. (Brent Bellamy / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge in 2015. (Brent Bellamy / Winnipeg Free Press files)
In 2015, the city announced the Arlington Bridge was beyond repair, with a new bridge expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
In 2015, the city announced the Arlington Bridge was beyond repair, with a new bridge expected to cost hundreds of millions of dollars. (John Woods / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge is seen from the air in 2016. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)
The Arlington Bridge is seen from the air in 2016. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)
The Arlington Bridge is seen in the background of the CP Rail yards in 2016. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge is seen in the background of the CP Rail yards in 2016. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The shadow of the Arlington Bridge falls on the CP Rail yards in 2016. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)
The shadow of the Arlington Bridge falls on the CP Rail yards in 2016. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press)
The Arlington Bridge in 2019. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge in 2019. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge in 2019. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press files)
The Arlington Bridge in 2019. (Trevor Hagan / Winnipeg Free Press files)
A few west from the Arlington Bridge. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
A few west from the Arlington Bridge. (Winnipeg Free Press files)
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Arlington Bridge was indefinitely closed on Nov. 21, 2023, after a bridge condition assessment.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

The Arlington Bridge was indefinitely closed on Nov. 21, 2023, after a bridge condition assessment.

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City closes deteriorating 111-year-old Arlington Bridge indefinitely
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Arlington Street Bridge, which has been indefinitely closed after a bridge condition assessment, on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023. Winnipeg Free Press 2023.
Urban myth or reality, Arlington Bridge's history is still fascinating
Ken Gigliotti/ Winnipeg Free Press archives The Arlington St. Bridge
Arlington Bridge has had a troubled century — but it's given us a great story
View of Arlington Street Bridge facing south. Feb 01 , 2012 (Ruth Bonneville / Photographer) Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg's love-hate affair with CPR yards crossings has been smouldering for more than 120 years
Mark Perry collection Salter Street Bridge construction, circa 1932.
A bridge to nowhere
MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Arlington Street Bridge
City government accused of ‘kicking the can down the road’ on Arlington Bridge
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS City of Winnipeg crews install barriers on the South end of the Arlington Street Bridge. The bridge which opened in 1912, has been closed indefinitely. 231122 - Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
Bridge closure bumps potential Winnipeg rail relocation back into spotlight
City of Winnipeg crews install barriers on the north end of the Arlington Bridge. The bridge, which opened in 1912, has been closed indefinitely for safety reasons. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press) 231122 - Wednesday, November 22, 2023.
Arlington Bridge troubles span nearly a century
Ruth Bonneville / Winnipeg Free Press A view of Arlington Street Bridge facing south
Bridge closure an opportunity
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Files City of Winnipeg crews install barriers on the north end of the Arlington Street Bridge. The bridge which opened in 1912, has been closed indefinitely.
Sprawling city needs more than a new bridge to connect us
City crews install barriers on the north end of the Arlington Street Bridge. (Mike Deal / Winnipeg Free Press files)
Time capsules: prized clocks on display at Manitoba Museum
MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The ‘Mielitz’ clock was made by Abraham Kroeger (1791–1872) in Rosenthal, Russian Empire (now Ukraine), ca. 1835.
History

Updated on Tuesday, November 28, 2023 11:41 AM CST: Removes misidentified bridge.

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