Out of a  desire to shorten the route between Lethbridge and Fort Macleod and to access the mineral and coal reserves in southeastern British Columbia, a decision  to build a rail line west from Lethbridge to the Crowsnest Pass was issued in the late 1890s. The Belly River (now the Oldman) presented a barrier requiring the rail line to be constructed south through the deep Coulees, down into the river bottom and across the St. Mary River before this river entered the Belly.

Approximately ten years later this first track to Fort Macleod was in difficulty. The wooden bridges, made from green wood, were in need of repair and the twists and turns were causing damage to the rolling stock. The decision was made to rebuild the line and build a bridge across the Belly (Oldman) River at Lethbridge. Initially, dubbed “One of the Wonders of the World”, the foundation work started in the spring of 1908 after completing route surveys, engineering studies and design. In spite of the challenges presented by the flood of 1908 and the unique topography of the area, the steel girder high level bridge, which replaced 20 wood frame bridges, was completed in 1909. 

“The valley floor this bridge over which runs the Canadian Pacific Railway through the Crows Nest Pass spans the valley in one mile and forty seven feet. Completed in 1909 it is the longest highest bridge of its type in the world.”

Notation on stone marker at the east end of the bridge

Historical references, accuracies, and information taken from:
           Alex Johnston's Canadian Pacific Railway – High Level Bridge at Lethbridge
           Published by: Lethbridge Historical Society 2008
This book can be purchased at various sites in southern Alberta and Lethbridge or may be purchased directly from the Lethbridge Historical Society
(Ph: 403-320-4994 or e-mail: lhs@albertahistory.org).