Confederation Bridge

An engineering feat if there ever was one, the curved, 12.9 kilometer-long (8 miles) Confederation Bridge is the longest in the world to cross ice-covered water. It carries the Trans-Canadian Highway, joining the eastern Canadian provinces of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick by crossing the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Straight.
The Confederation Bridge’s construction spanned over four years and necessitated crews of more than 5,000 local workers; it opened to traffic on May 31, 1997, at a total construction cost of one billion dollars – to this day, it remains one of Canada’s most ambitious realisations. The 40 meters high (131 feet) and 11 meters wide (36 feet) bridge was built using multi–span, post-tensioned concrete box girder, reinforcing steel and 62 piers. 

Practical Info

The Confederation Bridge is located 3 hours (263 kilometers/163 miles) north of Halifax, from which it can be reached via route 102, 104 and 16, and one hour (91 kilometers/56 miles) east of Moncton in New Brunswick, from which it can be reached using routes 15 and 16. The bridge takes 15 minutes to cross as there is an 80 km/h (or 50 mph) speed limit. Tolls, which only apply when leaving Prince Edward Island, cost $45 per vehicle and $18 per motorcycle. Pedestrians and cyclists are not permitted to cross the bridge, but a shuttle service is available for $4.25 per pedestrian and $8.25 per bicycle.