Ducharme Bridge in the Bostonnais region is still used to cross Bostonnais River.
Given the number of rivers that run through the Haute-Mauricie territory, it’s no surprise that there is also an impressive range of all kinds of bridges. Linking rivers to each other was also part of colonization. These pretty wooden bridges facilitated the transport of goods from one territory to another, made places of worship accessible and communities less isolated, and significantly contributed to the region’s development.
The suspension bridge leading to the Rive-Ouest sector of Saint-Maurice River, 1917.
If only the region’s bridges, which were symbolic of a promising economy, could talk. Rive-Ouest Bridge, for example, was constructed around 1910 by the Brown Corporation to power its new paper mill. The construction of this bridge also served to support the large water pipe connecting Lac Parker to the paper mill.
In 1968, this suspension bridge that spans the Saint-Maurice River was purchased by Ville de La Tuque for a symbolic price of $1. The bridge is still operational and one vehicle at a time can travel from one riverbank to the other. Cars, motorcycles, trucks, quad bikes and snowmobiles cross it regularly.
Did you know that 50% of all covered bridges in Canada are in Quebec? Between the early 19th century and 1958, over 1,000 covered bridges were built in Quebec. To this day, these characteristic bridges reflect our unique built heritage. This heritage is so precious that signs were placed on bridges prohibiting smoking and trotting horses. Accidents can happen so fast!
Even though there are fewer than 100 covered bridges remaining in Quebec, the La Bostonnais region boasts two of these marvels: Ducharme Bridge and Thiffaut Bridge. Ducharme Bridge was inaugurated in 1946 and listed as a historic monument in 2006. It is considered one of the most interesting covered bridges in Quebec due to its Town Quebec style, a variation of the Town Lattice style patented in 1820 by American architect Ithiel Town.
The bridge is still used to travel to Parc Ducharme in the Bostonnais region to enjoy the play areas and birdwatching trails in summer and tubing and skating in winter.
