I’m not sure how interesting this will be to most of you, but I’ve been a bit fascinated with a construction project going on here in Winnipeg. The city has been building a replacement for the aging Provencher bridge, and it looks pretty interesting. The bridge joins the city with the old French quarter, _Saint-Boniface_, which is home to the largest population of francophones in Canada outside of Quebec.
The cable-supported spire structure will be a pedestrian bridge, which will accompany and augment the existing vehicle bridge. Apparently there will be some kind of commercial presence on the pedestrian bridge, though I have no idea how they’re going to implement it. Strangely, there used to be a creperie halfway across the old bridge - don’t ask me why. I hope they move it over to the pedestrian bridge. You never know when you’re going to need a crepe.
So, put on some _La Boutine Souriante_ (a French-Canadian music group that I couldn’t find a URL for) and check out the Provencher Bridge photos.
There’s also a few bonus photos of some Winnipeg Exchange buildings I took today that I tossed in, including two shots of my favourite, the famous _Nutty Club_ building. It’s smackdab in the middle of the Winnipeg financial district. How fitting. If you like these, there’s more like them in the first set of Exchange photos.
The Provencher Bridge
I’m not sure how interesting this will be to most of you, but I’ve been a bit fascinated with a construction project going on here in Winnipeg. The city has been building a replacement for the aging Provencher bridge, and it looks pretty interesting. The bridge joins the city with the old French quarter, _Saint-Boniface_, which is home to the largest population of francophones in Canada outside of Quebec.
The cable-supported spire structure will be a pedestrian bridge, which will accompany and augment the existing vehicle bridge. Apparently there will be some kind of commercial presence on the pedestrian bridge, though I have no idea how they’re going to implement it. Strangely, there used to be a creperie halfway across the old bridge - don’t ask me why. I hope they move it over to the pedestrian bridge. You never know when you’re going to need a crepe.
So, put on some _La Boutine Souriante_ (a French-Canadian music group that I couldn’t find a URL for) and check out the Provencher Bridge photos.
There’s also a few bonus photos of some Winnipeg Exchange buildings I took today that I tossed in, including two shots of my favourite, the famous _Nutty Club_ building. It’s smackdab in the middle of the Winnipeg financial district. How fitting. If you like these, there’s more like them in the first set of Exchange photos.
Just a little history note about the Provencher Bridge Cêperie. It was housed in the old control room (or cabane) of what purpose, I'm not shure. The bridge may have at one point been a type of drawbridge, to let the big river boats pass.
Later in the mid '90's, one guy had the idea of opening a crepe kiosk to sell french snacks at passers-by. It was very popular (and good cêpes!).
The old bridge was also designed and built by the same engineer who built the Golden Gate Bridge in San Fran.
The new bridge will have a small café in the middle, smack in the centre of the river. Should be a nice view at sunset or night.
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