Spanning the Fraser River at Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park, the Old Alexandra Bridge is a 1926 suspension bridge with deep historical, cultural, and recreational significance. This conservation project focused on stabilizing and preserving the entire structure, protecting a beloved regional landmark through careful restoration, technical discipline, and respectful collaboration. This site is central to the Spuzzum FN ancestral fishing holes and once repaired and re-opened to the public, the bridge will again open up territory made inaccessible by its current condition.
Timeline
June 2024
Location
Alexandra Bridge
Project Type
Conservation
Prior to restoration, the bridge was in danger of collapsing and had been closed. Opened in 1926, the bridge is tied to early British Columbia transportation history and exploration connected to the gold rush, and remains closely connected to regional use and longstanding First Nations fishing traditions. Today, it continues to hold meaning as a landmark place for both recreation and heritage.
Goals
- Stabilize and preserve the bridge to prevent further failure
- Restore the structure to protect its long-term integrity as a regional landmark
Unique Challenges
Site Constraints and Access
Access to the work site required traveling down a winding park trail and crossing over the CN rail line, adding complexity to planning, staging, and movement of materials and crew.
Structural and Safety Challenges
Bridge conservation demands a highly methodical approach. Work must be completed piece by piece—unlike many structures where stabilization, disassembly, and rebuild strategies can be applied more broadly.
Technical Approach
Restoration work focused on removing failed materials and replacing them with renewed components to restore structural integrity while respecting the historic character of the bridge.
Key work completed included:
- Removal of all failed material and replacement with restored components in this phase
- On schedule, on budget
- Improved trail access and additional gates to improve rail safety
Collaboration & Coordination
This conservation project required coordination with multiple governing bodies and technical partners, with close collaboration across land, transportation, and rail stakeholders.
Key coordination included:
- Province of BC – Heritage Branch
- BC Parks
- Ministry of Transport
- CN Rail
- HeritageWorks
- New Pathways
- AE Engineering
- RJC Engineers
Before & After
Before
- Bridge was closed and in danger of collapsing
- Failed materials required careful removal and replacement, piece by piece
After
- Failed materials removed and replaced to restore integrity
- Stone carving added as part of the project’s visual and cultural transformation
Results
Through careful conservation work and disciplined sequencing, the Old Alexandra Bridge was stabilized through the replacement of failed materials, supporting the ongoing preservation of a landmark that continues to contribute to the region’s cultural, historic, and recreational identity.
Services Used
- Conservation and restoration of historic infrastructure
- Structural renewal through piece-by-piece replacement
- Stakeholder and multi-agency coordination
Preserving historic places requires precision, planning, and respect for materials. If you’re planning a conservation project that demands careful coordination and technically disciplined restoration, connect with Heritage Masonry to discuss scope and approach.
