Confederation Bridge | |
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Confederation Bridge in 2008,
New Brunswick side |
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Coordinates | 46°12′55″N 63°44′45″W / 46.21528°N 63.74583°WCoordinates: 46°12′55″N 63°44′45″W / 46.21528°N 63.74583°W |
Carries | 2 lanes of NB Route 16/PEI Route 1 (Trans-Canada Highway) |
Crosses | Northumberland Strait |
Locale |
Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick |
Official name | Confederation Bridge / Pont de la Confédération |
Other name(s) | The Fixed Link |
Maintained by | Strait Crossing Bridge Limited (SCBL) |
Characteristics | |
Design | Multi–span post-tensioned concrete box girder |
Total length | 12.9 km (8 mi) |
Longest span | 250 m (820 ft) (43 segments) |
History | |
Opened | May 31, 1997 |
Statistics | |
Daily traffic | about 4000 |
Toll |
C$46.50 two-axle automobile |
C$46.50 two-axle automobile
$8.50 per extra axle
$18.50 motorcycle
$8.75 bicycle (transported by shuttle vehicle)
$4.25 pedestrian (transported by shuttle vehicle)
The Confederation Bridge (French: Pont de la Confédération) spans the Abegweit Passage of Northumberland Strait. It links Prince Edward Island with mainland New Brunswick, Canada. Before its official naming, Prince Edward Islanders often referred to the bridge as the "Fixed Link". Construction took place from October 1993 to May 1997 and cost C$1.3 billion. The 12.9-kilometre (8 mi) bridge opened on May 31, 1997.
The bridge is a two-lane toll bridge that carries the Trans-Canada Highway between Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island (at Route 1) and Cape Jourimain, New Brunswick (at Route 16).
It is a multi-span balanced cantilever bridge with a post-tensioned concrete box girder structure. Most of the curved bridge is 40 metres (131 ft) above water with a 60 m (197 ft) navigation span for ship traffic. The bridge rests on 62 piers, of which the 44 main piers are 250 m (820 ft) apart. The bridge is 11 m (36 ft) wide.
The speed limit on the bridge is 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph) but can vary with wind and weather conditions. When travelling at the speed limit, it takes about 12 minutes to cross the bridge.
Tolls only apply when leaving Prince Edward Island. The toll rates as of January 2017[ref] are $46.50 for a two-axle automobile and $8.50 for each additional axle. Motorcycles are charged $18.50.