Guelph Covered Bridge
114 Gordon St, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
The Guelph Covered Bridge, also known as the Westminister Bridge, is a historic covered bridge located in Guelph, Wellington County, Ontario, Canada.
Guelph's Lattice Covered Bridge was built in June 1992 near the junction of the Speed and Eramosa Rivers by 400 timberframers who were gathered in Guelph for a Guild 5 day convention. Based on an original design from the 1800s, it is one of only two in Ontario. It serves as a bridge for a foot/bicycle path along the river, a 20-Kilometre (12.5-mile) network of six trails that meander along river greenspaces and run through the city of Guelph’s parklands, schools, and open spaces.
The original Guelph Covered Bridge was an important transportation link for the area, carrying horse-drawn carriages, pedestrians, and eventually automobiles across the Speed River. However, the bridge fell into disrepair over the years and was eventually closed to vehicular traffic in the early 20th century.
In the 1970s, a group of concerned citizens formed the Guelph Civic League to save the bridge from demolition. After many years of fundraising and planning, the new Guelph Covered Bridge was constructed in 1992 using traditional construction methods and materials, including wooden trusses and a shingled roof.
Today, the Guelph Covered Bridge is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the city's history and heritage. The bridge is approximately 61 meters long and can accommodate a single lane of traffic.
