Did You Know?
The Confederation Bridge features a hollow corridor through which some utility services are carried from the mainland to Prince Edward Island.
Design
Because of its phenomenal length, the Confederation Bridge uses a multi-span concrete box girder structure. Designed by a consortium headed by a joint-venture of J.Mueller International and Stantec (formerly known as SLG Consulting), the award-winning, 12.9 kilometre-long structure consists of three parts: the 1.3 kilometre-long West Approach Bridge leaving New Brunswick’s Jourimain Island, over 14 piers; the 0.6 kilometre-long East Approach Bridge leaving Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, over 7 piers; and the 11 kilometre-long Main Bridge which joins the approach bridges, resting on 44 piers.
Engineers incorporated a number of safety features into the bridge design including: graceful curves to ensure drivers remain attentive, and to reduce the potential for accidents that experts believe happen more often on straight highways or bridges; a road surface made of a special long-lasting bituminous mixture that minimizes vehicle spray during wet weather; 1.1 metre-high concrete barrier walls that minimize visual distraction and serve as a windbreak; and more than 7,000 drain ports that allow for the runoff of rainwater and melting snow and ice.
FAQs
What is the design life of the bridge?
The bridge was designed to last 100 years.
Is it the longest bridge in the world?
The Confederation Bridge is the world’s longest bridge over ice-covered water.
How high is the bridge above water?
Typical elevation is 40 metres above sea level; however, at its highest point, the Navigation Span, the bridge reaches 60 metres above sea level, allowing large sea vessels, including cruise ships, to navigate under the bridge between its piers.