Other Noteable NB Suspension Type Bridges
FUNDY PARK Technically speaking there are 2 other "cable-type bridges" in the province. Both of them are located in Fundy National Park on the Salmon River Trail that crosses over the Lower Salmon River between the Park Headquarters and the Black Hole Trail. These are two areas where 2 steel cables are strung across the river to aid hikers in crossing during times of high water in the spring. You basically just shimmy across them with due care! Not a bridge per say but they are steel cable supported crossings.
A UNIQUE CABLE CROSSING There is also a unique cable crossing owned and maintained by NB Power at Tracey Mills near Centreville in Carleton County crossing over the Big Presque Isle Stream. Its just a steel basket with a steel cable support guide used by a technician to cross the river to access utilites on the other side.  Its elevated maybe 6 feet above the water and it can be seen next to Route 110 at Tracey Mills.
NEW PHOTOS! Photo of the cage closer, A farther view of the crossing, A view looking from another angle, Looking across the river and wires to it (Taken on July 2nd, 2007).
EDMUNDSTON DOUBLE STEEL SPAN FOOTBRIDGE Although the double steel span footbridge in Edmundston isn't a suspension footbridge it is very unique! It crosses over the Madawaska River right in the heart of Edmundston next to a very scenic park and at the terminus of the Petit-Temis trail. A double steel span plus a centre pavilion. There is a similar span in Fredericton, crossing over a highway, and in Moncton, on a local trail there. More Photos: Photo 1, Photo 2, Photo 3, Photo 4, Photo 5.
(Added on July 2nd, 2007)
PUBLIC SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGES - 6 in (2009) Built by the province or by local municipalities/companies that are open to public use.
Big Salmon
Priceville
Canterbury
Yeomans
Kilpatrick
New Maryland
PRIVATE SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGES - 4* in (2009) (known - there may be others) privately built suspension footbridges in existence in the province. These may, or may not, be open to public use.
* TreeGo Park in Moncton's Centennial Park (3 or more cable bridges)
Boy Scout Camp (Edlewogen Crossing)
Exmoor
Sevogle
Sisson Branch Resevoir
Add your own Suspension Footbridge here! Building a suspension footbridge doesn't have to be hard, there are even companies online offering pre-build ones. For a very BASIC FOOTBRIDGE all you need is 4 good strong steel cables, a wood decking, 2 strong support posts on either end, and a bit of plastic netting along the side. As well as varous other support screws, lugs, wires and have it well anchored. It's good to have a structural engineer take a look over your plans before you build as well. Click here (new window opens)
FUTURE SUSPENSION BRIDGES - 2 (2010 or later)
Hearst Lodge One is tentatively set to be built out at Hearst Lodge on the Fundy Parkway Trail, east of St. Martins. It will compliment the one currently located down river at the Interpretive Centre called (Big Salmon). A second suspension bridge is being planned to enhance the day and multi-day adventure programs at the Hearst Lodge according to the web site but its not shown on the recent Fundy Parkway Phase 2 map/project specifics. It will be built just downstream at the site of an old dam.
Campobello Island - Head Harbour Lighthouse There was plans for a suspension footbridge to be built at the headland on Campobello Island out to the first islet leading to the Head Harbour Lighthouse. This was in the public plans back in 2000. But so far no word yet from the Friends of Head Harbour Lightstation(FHHL) on whether they plan to build it or not.
NOW GONE SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGES - 7 (at least):
The Clair Footbridge circa 1910-1930. Another pic, a woman posing on the bridge in 1910. It cost 5 cents to cross it! Replaced with a regular bridge.
Bathurst Footbridge circa 1980's.
Second Falls circa mid 1990's to around 2004-5 Loss verified on July 2nd, 2007.
Sillikers (MacTavish) Footbridge circa 1970 (replacement) - August 28th, 2002.
Kennebecasis (Sussex) Footbridge circa 1980 - Oct 3rd, 2002.
McColl's Swinging Bridge at Black River Bridge Miramichi. 1930-60's.
Blackville Swinging Bridge Upper Blackville, Miramichi. mid 1900's. I saw an old photo of it once in the Miramichi Leader and it looked quite impressive. If I can locate a copy o it I will post it here.
NOT SUSPENSION FOOTBRIDGES
Port Elgin Footbridge On a few web sites it is shown as a suspension footbridge, it is NOT. Its a wooden pedestrian bridge not unlike many others in the province. the footbridge site at the govt site and new-brunswick.net(same info) are both inaccurate.
Kouchibouguac Footbridge Again NOT a suspension footbridge but a unique steel truss type footbridge near the National Park there.
Fredericton Pedestrian Bridge Also NOT a suspension footbridge, just an old train bridge converted over for use by cyclists and pedestrians. It does have an old swing section to one side though from the days of the old river boats.
Not a Suspension Bridge here but still an old, unique, arch-support and long gone bridge near Westfield on the St. John River. (Added Nov. 8th, 2006)
Nashwaaksis Stream/Falls Again NOT a suspension footbridge but a nice private arch bridge built by Rocky Brawn of McLeod Hill Road, just outside Fredericton. A view across it, its located just about Nashwaaksis Falls. He also built a big staircase leading down to the base of the falls.
There are LOTS of fake-private covered bridges scattered around the province but perhaps the biggest of the fake covered bridges is located at Darlings Island near Saint John. This one you can actually drive a car across! See a pic of it, 10 metres long and 4 metres wide. Built/owned by Don and Jane Mitchener of Meadow Lane, Darlings Island.
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VEHICULAR SUSPENSION BRIDGES (2):
Nackawic, single tower design with the support cables, anotherview.
The other, main Nackawic Suspension Bridge into town.
These are two neat car/truck bridges in NB, especially the first one listed here. Very unusual in that one side of the main support tower has 1 set of cables, while other other side there are 2 for each side.
NOW GONE VEHICULAR SUSPENSION BRIDGES (2):
The famous St. John Suspension Bridge was around for some 50 years in Saint John, about the mid 1800's to the early 1900's. See a side shot, and a better side shot, On the bridge decking. This bridge existed at the turn of the 19th century, its a shame it never lasted to this day.
Another old vehicular suspension bridge existed at Grand Falls. Photos: A side shot down river view, A view from below, A frontal shot of the bridge. Built in 1860, now long gone as well. The sign on the front says, "Walk Your Horses and Save a Fine of $20". Quite a lot of money back then!
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Nova Scotia Suspension Footbridges
There are at least 7* cable suspension footbridges in Nova Scotia. June 24th, 2007 update.
(* Another may be added here soon, near Collingwood Stn., to Fountain Lake/Sutherlands Lake Cumberland County, on a snowmobile trail)
June 23th, 2007 - Is there a Collingwood/Sutherlands Lake Area Suspension Footbridge? Or is it the Portapique River Bridge? Need help clarifying this, thanks.
June 19th, 2007 - Portapique Portapique River Suspension Footbridge
June 19th, 2007 - Mickey Hill Mickey Hill Suspension Footbridge. Located in the Annapolis Valley, photo needed.
June 11th, 2007 - Hopewell Hopewell Heritage Suspension Footbridge
June 11th, 2007 - Tidnish Tidnish Nova Scotia There is a nice suspension footbridge just across the NB border.
Ogden Footbridge on the Trans-Canada trail in Guysborough County.
Liscomb Mills River Suspension Bridge in Guysborough County near the Liscomb Mills Lodge and features a waterfall.
The Sable River Heritage Swinging Bridge. In Shelburne County near the Sable River Prov. Park.
The Canal Swinging Bridge formerly in Kings County NS, Looking for a photo of it and its proper name, can you help? email: lightkeeper AT nblighthouses DOT com .
NEW! East River Swinging Bridge NOW GONE, formerly located in Pictou County NS, replaced by the local snowmobile club in 2006. It was located previously in Sunny Brae, south of Stellerton and was 100 feet long. Looking for a photo of it and its proper name, can you help? email: lightkeeper AT nblighthouses DOT com .
Big Salmon River Footbridge, St. Martins NB
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PEI Suspension Footbridges
There is at least 1, maybe 2 suspension footbridges in PEI in Cavendish, the resort area near the National Park. It is located at one of the children theme parks in the area, Shining Waters Amusement Parks. Judging by the photo/video on the internet its maybe 30 feet across with 2 cables for the walkway and chainlinks going down for support. See photo. Rainbow Valley, now closed, was the other location for a swinging suspension bridge. Both PEI ones are located in children's amusement parks.
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Maine US Suspension Footbridges
Neighboring Maine has a number of suspension footbridges still standing. See: Arrox. 11 bridges. But for some strange reason they also included the old Clair New Brunswick footbridge, but it was built and maintained by DOT here in New Brunswick in the early 1900's, not Maine! All the Maine bridges are in the southern or western part of the state.
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Why a web site on these bridges? Well for starters there are not many of them in existence, each one is unique, they are far more pictureque than normal beam or arch supported bridges and lastly they are loads of fun to walk across! There are lots of other footbridges in the province, such as the one in Port Elgin on the NB Trail, and the steel span bridge at Kouchibouguac, but these are of the more boring, non-suspension, variety.
Want to build your own suspension bridge? See: this website.
What makes cable suspension footbridges unique? Well besides the fact there are so few of them around they are also much more picturesque to look at and more fun to walk across than a normal rigid beam or arch supported bridge! They are also known as "swinging bridges" but this term is falling into disuse now. Want to build your own suspension bridge? See: this website.
Did I Miss a Bridge Listing here? If I missed a local suspension footbridge (steel cable or rope) in your area of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, or PEI please send the details here:
E-mail: lightkeeper AT nblighthouses DOT com (replace the AT with @ and the DOT with .)
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