89 Years Ago…
Saturday, May 30th, 1931
Work to Start Soon on Ashcroft Bridge
Mr. Carruthers, provincial bridge engineer, Victoria, accomplished by Mr. E.S. Jones, district road engineer and his assistant Mr. O. Galahar and others were in Ashcroft on Wednesday last making a final check-up on the blue prints of the new steel and concrete bridge to cross the Thompson River at this point. The new bridge is to replace the old wooden one which has outlived its usefulness and is one of the important links on the Cariboo highway. It is expected work will begin as soon as the water begins to recede.
The government is preparing plans for a bridge of four main spans about 800 feet long altogether, and as soon as high water has passed engineers will begin to build the massive concrete piers. The bridge will be a few hundred yards down stream from the old one and will make possible an overhead crossing on the north side over the C.N.R. The new bridge will lead to Brink street and not to Railway avenue as at present.
The new bridge will be the fourth to cross the Thompson river at this point. The first was built in 1886 and was washed away by the extreme high water of 1894. This was replaced by another the following year, but it was condemned and the present one built in 1906. The new bridge being of steel and concrete should be good for all time.
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80 Years Ago…
Thursday, May 30th, 1940
