Falling In Love With A Bridge

Composed of wood with no discernible heartbeat, this gorgeous span is no less a part of our community for it. In the summer of 2011 the refurbishment process was finished after a 20 year community effort helping to find $7.5M to complete this mammoth task.

Kinsol Trestle – Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

When you consider the era in which this bridge was designed and built and really consider the tools and materials that were available at the time, the scale and enormity of the project truly comes to life. No steel was used in it’s construction. No piles were driven. It is all finely crafted and engineered using wood construction.

Kinsol Trestle – Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada

Over the years it was in service, thousands upon thousands of tons of cargo were transported across this great span. It was the backbone of forging and creating the island as colonization was actively underway.

More than once during that time, we almost lost this bridge. Fires were started by vandals that almost spelled the demise of the bridge, and wear and tear and general neglect were also factors. Years were spent by community activists garnering public support and helping in fund raising activities, and in the summer of 2011 all the hard work came to fruition as the bridge was reopened after an incredible restoration process.

Today it stands as a testament to the power of community, the love of our heritage, and as a world wonder for people from all corners of the world to come and enjoy.

Photo Credits

All photos are © Scott Johnson – All Rights Reserved

First posted at Toad Hollow Photography

Recent Scott Johnson Articles:

• A Settler’s Story
• Sweet Desolation
• The Second Life Of A Rusty Tugboat
• Reaching For The Heavens
• Greet The Morning