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{{Infobox bridge My dad works their {{Infobox bridge
| bridge_name = Lewiston-Queenston Bridge | bridge_name = Lewiston–Queenston Bridge
| image = Lewiston-Queenston Bridge.jpg | image = Lewiston-Queenston Bridge from Niagara Gorge.jpg
| image_size=300px
| caption = The bridge as seen from the observation deck of the nearby Power Vista at the Robert Moses hydroelectric power plant (NY).
| caption = The bridge as seen from Niagara Gorge.
| official_name =
| carries = 5 reversible lanes of {{jct|state=NY|I|190}} / {{jct|state=ON|ON|405}}
| also_known_as =
| carries = 5 reversible lanes of {{jct|state=ON|ON|405}} and {{jct|state=NY|I|190}}
| crosses = ] | crosses = ]
| locale = ] and ] | locale = ] and ]
| maint = ] | maint = ]
| design = ]
| id =
| mainspan = {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}}<ref name=hb>{{cite web |url=http://www.highestbridges.com/index.php?title=Lewiston-Queenston_Bridge |title=Lewiston-Queenston Bridge |date=10 December 2009 |website=HighestBridges.com |access-date=1 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521203258/http://www.highestbridges.com/index.php?title=Lewiston-Queenston_Bridge |archive-date=21 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| design = ]
| mainspan = {{convert|1000|ft|m|0}} | length = {{convert|1594|ft|m|0}}
| length = {{convert|1600|ft|m|0}} | width = {{convert|24|ft|m|0}}
| below = {{convert|370|ft|m|0}}<ref name=hb/>
| width =
| traffic = 10,406 AADT
| clearance =
| cost = $16 million <ref name=niagara>{{cite web |url=http://www.niagarafrontier.com/bridges.html#b13 |title=Bridges Over Niagara Falls |website=Niagarafrontier.com |access-date=2016-02-27}}</ref>
| below = {{convert|370|ft|m|0}}
| traffic =
| cost = $16 million <ref name=niagara>http://www.niagarafrontier.com/bridges.html#b13</ref>
| open = {{start date and age|1962|Nov|1|mf=yes}} | open = {{start date and age|1962|Nov|1|mf=yes}}
| coordinates={{coord|43|9|11|N|79|2|40.03|W|display=inline,title}}
| closed =
| toll = $3.50 ($3.25 with ExpressPass) (westbound only)<ref>http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/index.php/2012-06-29-18-19-37/toll-cost-vehicle-definitions Niagara Falls Bridge Commission: Toll Cost & Vehicle Definitions</ref> | toll = Canada-bound only:<br>$5.00 USD or $6.50 CAD per passenger vehicle<ref>{{cite web |title=Toll Cost & Vehicle Definitions |url=https://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/index.php/crossing-info/toll-cost-vehicle-definitions |access-date=1 August 2022}}</ref>
| engineering = ]<ref name="AISC1">{{citation|author1=American Institute of Steel Construction|author1-link=American Institute of Steel Construction|title=Prize Bridges 1962|url=https://www.aisc.org/globalassets/nsba/prize-bridge-brochures/1962prizebridgebrochure.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831072521/https://www.aisc.org/globalassets/nsba/prize-bridge-brochures/1962prizebridgebrochure.pdf|archive-date=2021-08-31|access-date=2024-01-12}}</ref>
| map_cue =
| fabricator = ]<ref name="AISC1" />
| map_image =
|extra = {{Infobox port-of-entry | embed=yes
| map_text =
|name=Lewiston–Queenston Border Crossing
| map_width =
|image=Queenston_Border_Station.jpg
| lat =
|image_size=300px
| long =
|image_caption=Canada Border Inspection Station at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge
|country=]; ]
|location={{plainlist|
* '''''US Port:''''' 1 Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, ] 14092
*'''''Canadian Port:''''' Hwy 405, Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, ] L0S 1J0
}} }}
|opened=1962
| blankdetailstitle1 = US Phone
| blankdetails1 = (716) 282-1500
| blankdetailstitle2 = Canadian Phone
| blankdetails2 = (905) 262-4010
| blankdetailstitle3 = Hours
| blankdetails3 = Open 24 hours
| website=http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/buffalo
}}
}}

The '''Lewiston–Queenston Bridge''', also known as the '''Queenston–Lewiston Bridge''', is an ] that crosses the ] gorge just south of the ]. The bridge was officially opened on November 1, 1962. It is an international bridge between the ] and ]. It connects ] in the town of ], ] to ] in the community of ], ]. The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge is architecturally similar to the ] at nearby ].

Customs plazas are located on both ends of the bridge, with tolls only being charged on entering Canada ($5.00 USD or $6.50 CAD per passenger automobile). The bridge accepts ] ] and houses the second Canadian E-ZPass collection facility, after the nearby ]. Also, two ] stores are located between the two plazas.


The bridge permits no pedestrians, but licensed taxi service is permitted.<ref>{{cite web |title=Which Bridge Do I Take? |url=http://www.niagarafallsbridges.com/index.php/crossing-info/which-bridge-do-i-take |website=Niagara Bridge Commission |access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref> The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge lacks expedited border clearance facilities for ] and ] card holders traveling from the United States into Canada, but does have a NEXUS lane for travel into the United States.
The '''Lewiston–Queenston Bridge''', known in Canada as the "Queenston-Lewiston Bridge" is an ] that crosses the ] gorge just south of the ]. The bridge was officially opened on November 1, 1962. It is an international bridge between the ] and ]. It connects ] in the town of ], ] to ] in the community of ], ]. The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge is a replica of the ] at ].


] have lights indicating the direction of traffic as the lanes are reversible. Speed limit is posted in kilometres and miles per hour ({{Convert|15|mph|km/h|abbr=on|disp=or}} limit) along the bridge. Canadian and United States flags fly at the midpoint on the south side of the bridge.
Customs plazas are located on both ends of the bridge, with tolls only being charged on entering Canada (USD$3.50 or CAD$3.50 per automobile as of December 2013). Also, two ] stores are located between the two plazas.


==Border crossing and toll==
The bridge permits no pedestrians, but licensed taxi service is permitted.<ref></ref> The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge lacks expedited border clearance facilities for ] and ] card holders traveling from Canada to the United States, but does have a NEXUS lane for travel into Canada.
The crossing is the fourth-busiest on the ], with delays of up to two hours.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}} It is on the most direct route connecting the US Interstate system to ] and ].<ref name="clui">{{cite web |url=http://www.clui.org/section/united-divide-a-linear-portrait-usacanada-border-3 |title=Chapter 4: The Watery Boundary |website=United Divide: A Linear Portrait of the USA/Canada Border |publisher=The Center for Land Use Interpretation |date=Winter 2015}}</ref> Canada replaced its border inspection facilities in 2011. The United States announced plans in 2016 to spend {{USD|50 million}} to upgrade the primary inspection facilities.<ref name="BuffaloNews1">{{cite news |author1-last=Anderson |author1-first=Dale |author2-last=McCarthy|author2-first=Robert |title=U.S. side of Lewiston-Queenston Bridge to get $50 million upgrade |url=https://buffalonews.com/2016/01/19/u-s-side-of-lewiston-queenston-bridge-to-get-50-million-upgrade/ |access-date=22 February 2016 |newspaper=] |date=February 19, 2016}}</ref> Construction was completed in 2022. Both facilities are open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. All commercial vehicles crossing between the US and Canada at the Niagara River must use this crossing.


The toll for use of the bridge is payable upon entering Canada only.
Gantries have lights indicating the direction of traffic as the lanes are reversible. Speed limit is posted in kilometres and miles (15&nbsp;mph limit) along the bridge. A set of flags, Canada and US, are found at the midpoint on the south side of the bridge.


* Canada-bound:
==Toll plaza==
** 10 customs booths for cars/RVs
There are toll plazas for customers clearance on either side of the bridge. Toll plaza for payment for use of bridge is on the Canadian side only.
** 5 customs booths for trucks
* Canada bound:
** Dedicated Bus Processing Lane
** 8 customs booths for cars/buses/RVs
** 4 customs booths for trucks
** parking area for trucks for inspections ** parking area for trucks for inspections
** helipad ** helipad
** 6 toll booths ** 6 toll booths
* US bound: * US-bound:
** 6 customs booths for cars/buses/RVs ** 6 customs booths for cars/buses/RVs
** 3 customs booths for trucks ** 3 customs booths for trucks
** parking area for trucks for inspections ** parking area for trucks for inspections


Passenger vehicles pay a toll only when entering Canada from the US. The cost is $5.00 USD or $6.50 CAD, as of August 1, 2022, payable by cash or E-ZPass.
High mast lighting is used on the Canadian side with regular light standards used for bridge and US toll plaza.

High mast lighting is used on the Canadian side, with regular light standards used for bridge and the US side.


==Previous suspension bridges== ==Previous suspension bridges==
] ]
The first Queenston-Lewiston Bridge was built in 1851 by engineer Edward Serrell and wrecked by wind in 1864 (or 1854<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.niagarafrontier.com/bridges.html#b13 |title=Bridges over Niagara Falls |website=Thunder Alley |date=May 2, 2019 |access-date=July 5, 2019}}</ref>). Newspapers reported that bridge deck had been destroyed in February 1864 by wind which caused main deck to sway excessively due to earlier removal of stabilizing guy-wires by local authorities, however main suspension cables remained fully intact.<ref>Buffalo Courier 2-5-1864, page 3</ref> Some of the cables were still in place as late as 1895.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bridgemeister.com/bridge.php?bid=35 |website=Bridgemeister |title=1851 Lewiston-Queenston |access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> The road deck span was about {{convert|841|–|849|ft|m|0|abbr=on}}. The suspension bridge design was unusual because the cables were attached to the cliff with only small towers. This made the road deck span shorter than the cable span of {{convert|1040|ft|m|0}}.
The current arch bridge replaced an old ] called the ''Queenston-Lewiston Bridge'' which was located seven-tenths of a mile north. Coincidentally, the suspension bridge was originally built near the location of the present-day ], and was moved to Queenston in 1898 by R.S. Buck and engineer L.L. Buck, after the completion of the Rainbow Bridge's predecessor, the ]. The suspension bridge was dismantled in 1963.


A second bridge called the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, a ] was later constructed. Located <!-- seven-tenths of a mile --> {{convert|7/10|mi|km|spell=in}} north of the current bridge, this suspension bridge was originally built near the present location of the ], and was moved to Queenston in 1898 by R.S. Buck and engineer L.L. Buck, after the completion of the Rainbow Bridge's predecessor, the ]. The suspension bridge was dismantled in 1963 after the current bridge was completed and opened.
There are a couple of reminders of the earlier bridge. First are two columns that lie within the ]. Second is the original brass plaque, now located midspan alongside the road, right at the border between the two countries. The plaque is flanked by a US and a Canadian flag.


]
The supports are part of Owen Morrell's Omega, a steel sculpture and observation platform added in 1981.<ref></ref> Two columns remain are found on the Canadian side at the foot of York Street in a wooded area now known as York Park.
Reminders of the earlier bridge are still visible in the area. First is two columns that lie within the ]. Second is the original plaque, now located midspan alongside the road, right at the border between the two countries. The plaque is flanked by a US and a Canadian flag.


The supports are part of Owen Morrell's Omega, a steel sculpture and observation platform added in 1981.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.owenmorrel.com/work#/omega/ |title=Work: Omega |website=Owen Morrel Studios |access-date=2019-07-05}}</ref> Two columns remain on the Canadian side at the foot of York Street in a wooded area now known as York Park.
<div id=earliest/>

The first ''Queenston-Lewiston Bridge'' was built in 1851 by engineer Edward Serrell and wrecked by wind in 1864 (or 1854<ref></ref>). Some of the cables were still in place as late as 1895.<ref></ref> The road deck span was about 841–849&nbsp;ft (256–258 m). The suspension bridge design was unusual because the cables were attached to the cliff with only small towers. This made the road deck span shorter than the cable span of {{convert|1040|ft|m|0}}.
==Plane crash==
On December 1, 1961, while the bridge was under construction, an ] (variously reported as belonging to the ]<ref name="f100-globe">{{cite news| periodical=]| location=Toronto| date=1961-12-02| title=Pilot Guides Blazing Jet Into Gorge| page=1}}</ref> or ]<ref name="f100-star">{{cite news| periodical=]| date=1961-12-02| title=Jet Ablaze: Pilot Stays to Save City| page=52}}</ref>) caught fire just after taking off from a base near ]. To protect people in the city, the pilot steered it into the Niagara River gorge before safely ]; but this aimed it near the construction site.<ref name="f100-globe"/><ref name="f100-star"/> It passed not far over the heads of workers near the site, missed a construction crane by about {{convert|100|feet|m}}, and crashed into the gorge side about 600 feet beyond the bridge before falling into the river.<ref name="f100-globe"/>


==See also== ==See also==
* ] *]
*]

*]
==External links==
*]
* {{Structurae|id=s0000546|title=Lewiston-Queenston Bridge (1962)}}
*]
*
*{{Portal-inline|Engineering}}
*
*{{Portal-inline|New York (state)}}
*
*{{Portal-inline|Ontario}}
* Niagara Falls Public Library (Ont.)
*{{Portal-inline|Transport}}


==References== ==References==
{{commons category|Lewiston–Queenston Bridge}} {{commons category|Lewiston–Queenston Bridge}}
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Structurae|id=20000546|title=Lewiston-Queenston Bridge (1962)}}
*
*
*
* Niagara Falls Public Library (Ont.)
*{{HAER |survey=NY-552 |id=ny2407 |title=Lewiston-Queenston Bridge, Spanning Niagara River, Lewiston, Niagara County, NY |photos=1 |cap=1}}


{{Crossings navbox {{Crossings navbox
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{{Niagara Falls}}
{{LongestBridge
| type = suspension
| start = 1851
| end = 1864
| previous = Wheeling Suspension Bridge
| current = Queenston-Lewiston Bridge
| next = Wheeling Suspension Bridge
}}

{{coord|43|9|11|N|79|2|40.03|W|display=title}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Lewiston-Queenston Bridge}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Lewiston-Queenston Bridge}}
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Latest revision as of 01:20, 10 December 2024

Bridge in Ontario and Lewiston, New York
Lewiston–Queenston Bridge
The bridge as seen from Niagara Gorge.
Coordinates43°9′11″N 79°2′40.03″W / 43.15306°N 79.0444528°W / 43.15306; -79.0444528
Carries5 reversible lanes of I-190 / Highway 405
CrossesNiagara River
LocaleQueenston, Ontario and Lewiston, New York
Maintained byNiagara Falls Bridge Commission
Characteristics
DesignArch
Total length1,594 feet (486 m)
Width24 feet (7 m)
Longest span1,000 feet (305 m)
Clearance below370 feet (113 m)
History
Engineering design byHardesty & Hanover
Fabrication byBethlehem Steel
Construction cost$16 million
OpenedNovember 1, 1962; 62 years ago (1962-11-01)
Statistics
Daily traffic10,406 AADT
TollCanada-bound only:
$5.00 USD or $6.50 CAD per passenger vehicle
Lewiston–Queenston Border Crossing
Canada Border Inspection Station at the Lewiston–Queenston Bridge
Location
CountryUnited States; Canada
Location
Details
Opened1962
US Phone(716) 282-1500
Canadian Phone(905) 262-4010
HoursOpen 24 hours
Website
http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/buffalo
Location

The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge, also known as the Queenston–Lewiston Bridge, is an arch bridge that crosses the Niagara River gorge just south of the Niagara Escarpment. The bridge was officially opened on November 1, 1962. It is an international bridge between the United States and Canada. It connects Interstate 190 in the town of Lewiston, New York to Highway 405 in the community of Queenston, Ontario. The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge is architecturally similar to the Rainbow Bridge at nearby Niagara Falls.

Customs plazas are located on both ends of the bridge, with tolls only being charged on entering Canada ($5.00 USD or $6.50 CAD per passenger automobile). The bridge accepts E-ZPass electronic toll collection and houses the second Canadian E-ZPass collection facility, after the nearby Peace Bridge. Also, two duty-free stores are located between the two plazas.

The bridge permits no pedestrians, but licensed taxi service is permitted. The Lewiston–Queenston Bridge lacks expedited border clearance facilities for NEXUS and FAST card holders traveling from the United States into Canada, but does have a NEXUS lane for travel into the United States.

Gantries have lights indicating the direction of traffic as the lanes are reversible. Speed limit is posted in kilometres and miles per hour (15 mph or 24 km/h limit) along the bridge. Canadian and United States flags fly at the midpoint on the south side of the bridge.

Border crossing and toll

The crossing is the fourth-busiest on the Canada–United States border, with delays of up to two hours. It is on the most direct route connecting the US Interstate system to Toronto and Detroit. Canada replaced its border inspection facilities in 2011. The United States announced plans in 2016 to spend US$50 million to upgrade the primary inspection facilities. Construction was completed in 2022. Both facilities are open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. All commercial vehicles crossing between the US and Canada at the Niagara River must use this crossing.

The toll for use of the bridge is payable upon entering Canada only.

  • Canada-bound:
    • 10 customs booths for cars/RVs
    • 5 customs booths for trucks
    • Dedicated Bus Processing Lane
    • parking area for trucks for inspections
    • helipad
    • 6 toll booths
  • US-bound:
    • 6 customs booths for cars/buses/RVs
    • 3 customs booths for trucks
    • parking area for trucks for inspections

Passenger vehicles pay a toll only when entering Canada from the US. The cost is $5.00 USD or $6.50 CAD, as of August 1, 2022, payable by cash or E-ZPass.

High mast lighting is used on the Canadian side, with regular light standards used for bridge and the US side.

Previous suspension bridges

The Queenston-Lewiston suspension bridge, 1915.

The first Queenston-Lewiston Bridge was built in 1851 by engineer Edward Serrell and wrecked by wind in 1864 (or 1854). Newspapers reported that bridge deck had been destroyed in February 1864 by wind which caused main deck to sway excessively due to earlier removal of stabilizing guy-wires by local authorities, however main suspension cables remained fully intact. Some of the cables were still in place as late as 1895. The road deck span was about 841–849 ft (256–259 m). The suspension bridge design was unusual because the cables were attached to the cliff with only small towers. This made the road deck span shorter than the cable span of 1,040 feet (317 m).

A second bridge called the Queenston-Lewiston Bridge, a suspension bridge was later constructed. Located seven-tenths mile (1.1 km) north of the current bridge, this suspension bridge was originally built near the present location of the Rainbow Bridge, and was moved to Queenston in 1898 by R.S. Buck and engineer L.L. Buck, after the completion of the Rainbow Bridge's predecessor, the Upper Steel Arch Bridge. The suspension bridge was dismantled in 1963 after the current bridge was completed and opened.

A former suspension cable support in Lewiston for the old suspension bridge in July 2016

Reminders of the earlier bridge are still visible in the area. First is two columns that lie within the Earl W. Brydges Artpark State Park. Second is the original plaque, now located midspan alongside the road, right at the border between the two countries. The plaque is flanked by a US and a Canadian flag.

The supports are part of Owen Morrell's Omega, a steel sculpture and observation platform added in 1981. Two columns remain on the Canadian side at the foot of York Street in a wooded area now known as York Park.

Plane crash

On December 1, 1961, while the bridge was under construction, an F-100 fighter (variously reported as belonging to the United States Air Force or Air National Guard) caught fire just after taking off from a base near Niagara Falls, New York. To protect people in the city, the pilot steered it into the Niagara River gorge before safely ejecting; but this aimed it near the construction site. It passed not far over the heads of workers near the site, missed a construction crane by about 100 feet (30 m), and crashed into the gorge side about 600 feet beyond the bridge before falling into the river.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Lewiston-Queenston Bridge". HighestBridges.com. 10 December 2009. Archived from the original on 21 May 2016. Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  2. ^ American Institute of Steel Construction, Prize Bridges 1962 (PDF), archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-08-31, retrieved 2024-01-12
  3. "Bridges Over Niagara Falls". Niagarafrontier.com. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  4. "Toll Cost & Vehicle Definitions". Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  5. "Which Bridge Do I Take?". Niagara Bridge Commission. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  6. "Chapter 4: The Watery Boundary". United Divide: A Linear Portrait of the USA/Canada Border. The Center for Land Use Interpretation. Winter 2015.
  7. Anderson, Dale; McCarthy, Robert (February 19, 2016). "U.S. side of Lewiston-Queenston Bridge to get $50 million upgrade". The Buffalo News. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
  8. "Bridges over Niagara Falls". Thunder Alley. May 2, 2019. Retrieved July 5, 2019.
  9. Buffalo Courier 2-5-1864, page 3
  10. "1851 Lewiston-Queenston". Bridgemeister. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
  11. "Work: Omega". Owen Morrel Studios. Retrieved 2019-07-05.
  12. ^ "Pilot Guides Blazing Jet Into Gorge". The Globe and Mail. Toronto. 1961-12-02. p. 1.
  13. ^ "Jet Ablaze: Pilot Stays to Save City". Toronto Daily Star. 1961-12-02. p. 52.

External links

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