Franklin Dean
The Honeymoon Bridge, also known as the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, was an international bridge that connected Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, with Niagara Falls, New York, USA. Built in 1897-98, it was the largest steel arch bridge in the world at the time. The bridge was constructed for $2 million, but its proximity to the river made it susceptible to damage from ice bridges that formed in the winter. Despite reinforcement attempts, the bridge collapsed in 1938 due to the force of ice and wind, highlighting the formidable power of nature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Honeymoon Bridge, Upper Steel Arch Bridge, Falls View Bridge |
| Location | Niagara Falls |
| Construction Cost | $2 million |
| Construction Start Date | January 1897 |
| Construction Company | Pencoyd Bridge Company of Philadelphia |
| Length | 1,240 feet |
| Width | 46 feet |
| Year Opened | 1898 |
| Year Collapsed | 1938 |
| Date Collapsed | 27 January 1938 |
| Time Collapsed | 4:20 pm |
| Cause of Collapse | A combination of thin ice on Lake Erie, a 5-day January thaw, and 3 days of high winds |
| Replacement Bridge | Rainbow Bridge |
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What You'll Learn
The Honeymoon Bridge cost $2 million to build
The construction of the Honeymoon Bridge, also known as the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, was approved in January 1897. It was built for $2 million and opened in June 1897 or 1898. It was an imposing, graceful double steel arch bridge, 46 feet wide and 1,240 feet long. The Honeymoon Bridge was the largest steel arch bridge in the world at the time of its construction. It was built by the Pencoyd Bridge Company of Philadelphia.
The bridge was located over the Niagara River, connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, with Niagara Falls, New York, United States. It was about 500 feet (150 m) upriver of the present-day Rainbow Bridge. The Honeymoon Bridge was an iconic architectural feat and provided stunning views of the waterfall. It was wide enough for cars, carriages, and pedestrians, with a double track for trolley cars.
The abutments of the bridge were constructed only a few feet above the water level of the river, which created problems early on. In January 1899, a large ice bridge threatened the bridge when ice piled around its abutments due to their proximity to the river's surface. The bridge was constantly protected from ice bridges that formed in the Lower Niagara River every winter.
Despite these issues, the Honeymoon Bridge stood for about 40 years until it collapsed on January 27, 1938, at 4:20 pm. A sudden wind storm on Lake Erie sent a massive amount of ice over the falls, resulting in nearly 100 feet (30 m) of ice pushing against the bridge and causing its collapse. The bridge fell into the river in one piece, forming a twisted steel "W" on the ice below.
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It was built in 1897-98
The construction of the Honeymoon Bridge, also known as the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, was approved in January 1897. The contract to build the steel structure of the bridge was awarded to the Pencoyd Bridge Company of Philadelphia in May of the same year. The bridge was completed and opened to traffic in June 1897, although some sources state that it opened in 1898.
The Upper Steel Arch Bridge was an international bridge that crossed the Niagara River, connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, with Niagara Falls, New York, in the United States. It was located about 500 feet (150 m) upriver of the present-day Rainbow Bridge. The bridge was 840 feet long and 46 feet wide, with one floor that included double tracks for trolley cars and room for carriages and pedestrians.
When completed, the Honeymoon Bridge became the largest steel arch bridge in the world. Its abutments were constructed 14 feet closer to the American Falls than the foundations of the previous Suspension Bridge, and only a few feet above the water level of the river. This proximity to the river's surface would later cause problems, as the bridge had to be constantly protected from ice bridges that formed over the river every winter.
In January 1899, just a year after the bridge opened, a large ice bridge threatened to push the structure off its foundation. Workers spent three weeks removing the ice and were able to prevent major damage. The International Traction Company purchased the bridge in 1899 and had a 24-foot-tall stone wall built around the abutments to protect them from future ice bridges. Despite these reinforcement attempts, the bridge collapsed in January 1938 due to the force of ice on the river pressing against its supports.
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It was the largest steel arch bridge in the world
The Upper Steel Arch Bridge, also known as the Honeymoon Bridge, was built for $2 million and opened in June 1897, stretching 840 feet (some sources state 1,240 feet) and becoming the largest steel arch bridge in the world. It was an international bridge that crossed the Niagara River, connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, with Niagara Falls, New York, United States.
The bridge was an imposing, graceful double steel arch span, 46 feet wide, with one floor that included double tracks for trolley cars and room for carriages and pedestrians. It was considered a beautiful feature and offered picture-perfect views of the falls. The Honeymoon Bridge was an iconic architectural feat, and its construction was an impressive engineering accomplishment.
However, the bridge's proximity to the river surface created challenges. The bridge's abutments were constructed only a few feet above the water level, and they frequently needed protection from ice bridges that formed in the Lower Niagara River during winter. In January 1899, just a year after the bridge opened, a large ice bridge nearly pushed the structure off its foundation. The incident highlighted the vulnerability of the bridge to the forces of nature.
Despite this early warning sign, the Honeymoon Bridge stood for almost four decades, until its eventual collapse on January 27, 1938. A combination of factors, including a January thaw, high winds, and ice buildup, caused the water and ice levels in the Lower Niagara River to rise to unprecedented heights. The ice and water exerted relentless pressure on the bridge's supports, and despite reinforcement attempts, the structure succumbed to the forces of nature and dramatically collapsed into the river.
The collapse of the Honeymoon Bridge serves as a reminder of the formidable power of nature and the precarious balance between human creations and the mighty forces that shape our world.
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It collapsed in 1938 due to ice damage
The Upper Steel Arch Bridge, also known as the Honeymoon Bridge, was an international bridge that connected Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, with Niagara Falls in New York, USA. It was completed in 1898 and was the largest steel arch bridge in the world at the time.
Despite its beauty and magnificence, the bridge's proximity to the river made it susceptible to ice damage. In January 1899, just a year after its opening, a large ice bridge threatened the structure, with ice piling up around its abutments. To protect the bridge, a 24-foot-tall stone wall was built around the abutments, and this helped to keep the bridge safe for several decades.
However, in January 1938, a combination of factors, including thin ice on Lake Erie, a 5-day thaw, and 3 days of high winds, caused the water and ice levels in the Lower Niagara River to rise to unprecedented heights. On January 25, 1938, nearly 100 feet of ice twisted the steel frame, and it became apparent that the bridge would soon collapse.
On January 27, 1938, at 4:10 p.m., a large movement of ice on the American side pushed the bridge off its abutment. With a loud roar, the bridge collapsed into the gorge, forming a twisted steel "W" on the ice below. The final collapse occurred at 4:20 p.m., before thousands of onlookers who had gathered to witness the event.
The Honeymoon Bridge's collapse serves as a reminder of the formidable power of nature and the delicate balance between human creations and the forces of the natural world.
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A replacement bridge was built in 1941
The Upper Steel Arch Bridge, also known as the Honeymoon Bridge, was built for $2 million and opened in 1898. It was located about 500 feet (150 m) upriver of the present-day Rainbow Bridge. Unfortunately, the bridge collapsed in 1938 due to a combination of factors, including thin ice on Lake Erie, a January thaw, and high winds, which caused water and ice levels in the Lower Niagara River to rise to unprecedented heights.
The Rainbow Bridge took on a different design to the Honeymoon Bridge, being a hingeless arch bridge, whereas the Honeymoon Bridge was a hinged arch bridge. The Rainbow Bridge was also shorter, with a span of 290 meters compared to the Honeymoon Bridge's 256 meters. The Rainbow Bridge was completed in November 1941, just three years after the collapse of the Honeymoon Bridge, and provided a new international crossing at the Falls.
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Frequently asked questions
The Honeymoon Bridge, also known as the Upper Steel Arch Bridge, was built for $2 million.
Construction of the Honeymoon Bridge began in January 1897 and was completed in 1898.
The Honeymoon Bridge was located over the Niagara River, connecting Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, with Niagara Falls, New York, USA.
The Honeymoon Bridge collapsed on January 27, 1938, due to a combination of high winds, a thaw, and large piles of ice that pushed against the bridge's supports.
