It was recently
reported that another portion of the former CNR waterfront iron ore trestle
will soon be coming down to make room for an expansion for Midcontinent Terminals cargo
shipping facilities. The economic benefits of expanding port activity in terms
of additional cargo and job creation notwithstanding, there is a certain amount
of wistfulness associated with watching the grand structure shrink further. True, it can be seen as a barrier and an eyesore,
but it also represents a rather impressive structure built during an era where
it seems Canada was still capable of quickly building large, impressive
structures as part of its industrial development.
Designed by C.D. Howe’s engineering firm, the trestle was built at the end of World War II to ship iron ore by rail out of the Steep Rock Mine at Atikokan and the end of the mine along with signalling the decline of Atikokan also ended the need for the trestle. Of course, the right of way and run up to the main dock facilities are long gone but the remnants are still quite impressive in terms of their sheer size especially when one is out in the harbour and sailing by. A number of years ago, had the pleasure of a harbour boat tour with friends and took some pictures of the trestle. Enjoy.
