High Level Bridge Streetcar
Encyclopedia
The High Level Bridge Streetcar is a historic streetcar
ride over the High Level Bridge
in Edmonton
, Alberta. It travels from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum, just north of the Strathcona Farmers Market, in Old Strathcona
, to Jasper Plaza south of Jasper Avenue, between 109 Street and 110 Street, in downtown, with three intermediate stops. It operates between the Victoria Day weekend in May, and Thanksgiving weekend in October.
Starting from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum it travels on the former CP Rail line in a north west direction, it first passes the Calgary & Edmonton Railway Station Museum at present-day 105 Street, this is a replica of the station that was the northern anchor of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway
from 1891 to 1908. After a level crossing stop at 107 Street, the streetcar goes under the Saskatchewan Drive
, 109 Street
, and Walterdale Hill intersection. While turing north, the middle stop is in the neighbourhood of Garneau
at 90 Avenue, before getting on the High Level Bridge. After traveling high over the surface of the North Saskatchewan River, it continues over River Valley Road, and 97 Avenue, entering the Ribbon of Steel multi-use corridor. The Ribbon of Steel is a corridor designated by Alberta Infrastructure and the City of Edmonton for the preservation of streetcar rail in Edmonton, and to provide a running/cycling path between 109 Street
and 110 Street, from 97 Avenue to Jasper Avenue. The first stop on the Ribbon of Steel is the Grandin stop, with walking access to the Grandin LRT station
, and the Legislature grounds. The northern terminus of the High Level Bridge Streetcar ride is at Jasper Plaza, just south of Jasper Avenue, the streetcar system that existed in Edmonton until 1951 ran though the downtown core, including down Jasper Avenue. The former rail line continued north, where 110 street is now, to the Old CN Rail yard
(north of 104 Avenue).
In the near future, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society hopes to extend the line south towards Whyte Avenue for a new terminus. To do this, the rail crossing on Gateway Boulevard
will have to be reconstructed, it was removed to separate the streetcar line from the active CP lines. During summer festivals, such as the Fringe, service is extended to accommodate the increase in crowds.
Heritage streetcar
Heritage streetcars or heritage trams are a development of the heritage railways that are becoming popular across the world. As with modern streetcar systems, the vehicles are referred to as trams or tramcars in the United Kingdom, Australasia and certain other places , but as streetcars or...
ride over the High Level Bridge
High Level Bridge (Edmonton)
The High Level Bridge, opened in 1913, spans the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Located next to the Alberta Legislature Building, the bridge linked the separate communities of Edmonton and Strathcona, which became one city in 1912. It was designed from the outset to...
in Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
, Alberta. It travels from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum, just north of the Strathcona Farmers Market, in Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona
Old Strathcona is an historic district located in south-central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Once the commercial core of the separate city of Strathcona, the area is now Edmonton's main arts and entertainment district, and in 2007 was named Alberta's second "Provincial Historic Area"...
, to Jasper Plaza south of Jasper Avenue, between 109 Street and 110 Street, in downtown, with three intermediate stops. It operates between the Victoria Day weekend in May, and Thanksgiving weekend in October.
Starting from the Strathcona Streetcar Barn & Museum it travels on the former CP Rail line in a north west direction, it first passes the Calgary & Edmonton Railway Station Museum at present-day 105 Street, this is a replica of the station that was the northern anchor of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway
Calgary and Edmonton Railway
The Calgary and Edmonton Railway was an early pioneer railway in what was then the Northwest Territories, now Alberta, Canada. It connected the towns of Calgary and Strathcona and opened in 1891...
from 1891 to 1908. After a level crossing stop at 107 Street, the streetcar goes under the Saskatchewan Drive
Saskatchewan Drive
Saskatchewan Drive / Scona Road is a river valley road on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It was formed on the banks of the river when the area was known as the City of Strathcona...
, 109 Street
109 Street, Edmonton
109 Street is an arterial road in central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It takes travelers out of Downtown to the south, Old Strathcona, and the north, Kingsway area. It passes several Edmonton landmarks including the Garneau Theatre, Alberta Legislature Building, Grant MacEwan University, RCMP "K"...
, and Walterdale Hill intersection. While turing north, the middle stop is in the neighbourhood of Garneau
Garneau, Edmonton
Garneau is a well known neighbourhood in the city of Edmonton. It is located just west of the Strathcona neighbourhood and just east of the main University of Alberta campus...
at 90 Avenue, before getting on the High Level Bridge. After traveling high over the surface of the North Saskatchewan River, it continues over River Valley Road, and 97 Avenue, entering the Ribbon of Steel multi-use corridor. The Ribbon of Steel is a corridor designated by Alberta Infrastructure and the City of Edmonton for the preservation of streetcar rail in Edmonton, and to provide a running/cycling path between 109 Street
109 Street, Edmonton
109 Street is an arterial road in central Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It takes travelers out of Downtown to the south, Old Strathcona, and the north, Kingsway area. It passes several Edmonton landmarks including the Garneau Theatre, Alberta Legislature Building, Grant MacEwan University, RCMP "K"...
and 110 Street, from 97 Avenue to Jasper Avenue. The first stop on the Ribbon of Steel is the Grandin stop, with walking access to the Grandin LRT station
Grandin (ETS)
Grandin Station is an LRT Station operated by Edmonton Transit System in the city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is an underground station located beneath 110 Street between 99 Avenue and 98 Avenue. It provides service to the Government Centre part of the downtown core and the neighbourhood of...
, and the Legislature grounds. The northern terminus of the High Level Bridge Streetcar ride is at Jasper Plaza, just south of Jasper Avenue, the streetcar system that existed in Edmonton until 1951 ran though the downtown core, including down Jasper Avenue. The former rail line continued north, where 110 street is now, to the Old CN Rail yard
Old Canadian National rail yard
The old Canadian National rail yard in Edmonton was once the centre of economic activity in that city. Its redevelopment has fundamentally altered the appearance of the city...
(north of 104 Avenue).
In the near future, the Edmonton Radial Railway Society hopes to extend the line south towards Whyte Avenue for a new terminus. To do this, the rail crossing on Gateway Boulevard
Gateway Boulevard
Gateway Boulevard is a one-way major arterial in south Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It is a major commuter route for communities south of Edmonton, such Leduc....
will have to be reconstructed, it was removed to separate the streetcar line from the active CP lines. During summer festivals, such as the Fringe, service is extended to accommodate the increase in crowds.
High Level Bridge Fleet
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