History
The bridge was built in 1933 replacing an older wooden bridge that had been damaged by ice on the Don River. The original cost was $70,864.07. The bridge was abandoned in 1964 after the construction of the Don Valley Parkway. A new onramp was built to the north, connecting with Eastern. The highway was also placed directly east of the bridge and through traffic would have required a new bridge and overpass to cross it. With the Eastern onramp just to the north and the new Gardiner Expressway just to the south it was decided that a bridge was unnecessary at that point in the river. The bridge was thus disconnected from the road network. It was also fenced in to block pedestrians as the highway and the rail lines are both considered hazardous. The city considered demolishing it, but found that it would be more expensive than simply maintaining it. The city continues to inspect the bridge.
Read more about this topic: Old Eastern Avenue Bridge
Famous quotes containing the word history:
“The history of the genesis or the old mythology repeats itself in the experience of every child. He too is a demon or god thrown into a particular chaos, where he strives ever to lead things from disorder into order.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The principle that human nature, in its psychological aspects, is nothing more than a product of history and given social relations removes all barriers to coercion and manipulation by the powerful.”
—Noam Chomsky (b. 1928)
“The best history is but like the art of Rembrandt; it casts a vivid light on certain selected causes, on those which were best and greatest; it leaves all the rest in shadow and unseen.”
—Walter Bagehot (1826–1877)