One of the most breathtaking constructions of the modern era, linking Prince Edward Island across the treacherous waters of the Northumberland Strait to the mainland, is the Confederation Bridge. Since 1997, the bridge has been the longest over ice covered waters in the world!

With a span of 12.9-kilometres, the bridge was constructed using extremely durable high-grade concrete and reinforcing steel. It tested the skill and ingenuity of engineers.

This revolutionary landmark challenged Islanders’ sense of themselves, their past and their future. Many called it the “Fixed Link” during construction. It was given a life expectancy of over 100 years, and was the final nail in the coffin for the New Brunswick ferry.

We decided to put on our walking boots and search for the best places to view the Confederation Bridge. Here is what we discovered.

Chelton Beach Provincial Park

Imagine walking through a field full of spruce and pine trees onto a fiery-red beach. The tide is rippling out, causing islands of sand to emerge from shallow water. In the distance, the Confederation Bridge stretches across the Northumberland Strait. This spur of land is Chelton Beach Provincial Park.

Located just off Route 10, near the rustic old village of Bedeque, Chelton Beach has a cottage country charm. Even in the peak summer season it is perfect, with supervision, a children’s play area, showers, flush toilets and a canteen, and the best part is it never gets overcrowded.

If you visiting this beach you’ll be met with crisp and cool air. And other than a few sea creatures washed up from the ocean, you will usually have the beach all to yourself. This beach is also recognized for its soul-stirring sunsets. The rays glitter across the ocean, and highlight the most recognisable landmark on the Island, the Confederation Bridge, and then reflect off the rich red sand.

 

Cape Traverse

If you are here in the fall, you will see a patchwork of fiery reds, golden yellows, and flaming orange hues this time of year when driving to Cape Traverse, a community in Prince County. Here a feeling of timelessness surrounds you. The gentle rhythm of the waves makes life slow down.

Cape Traverse was not always this peaceful though. During the 19th and 20th centuries, the community was an essential link, transporting both mail and passengers to the mainland with its iceboat service through the Abegweit Passage. The crossing was hard and dangerous because of the freezing slushes and tidal currents.

Now, the Confederation Bridge, a modern engineering feat, crosses this portion of the strait, and an original iceboat rests in an outdoor interpretive display off of Route 10 in Cape Traverse.

Borden-Carlton Historical Park

Borden-Carleton is a scenic small town, with a Marine Rail Historical Park, at the foot of the Confederation Bridge. The park features a lighthouse, observation deck, train, and memorial. The view is simply unparalleled.

If you’re visiting while the tide is out, with a some careful climbing down the bank of grass, and over the boulders of rock, you can walk right up to and touch one of the enormous cement pilings that are a part of the bridge foundation.

Standing underneath the bridge, people feel miniscule in comparison. The vehicles crawling along look like toys! It really gives a different perspective, and makes you wonder what challenges the engineers must have faced.

And Finally… Drive the Bridge

Throw caution to the wind and take a short road trip across the Confederation Bridge. It’s a great opportunity to relive old glories and create new memories. It take about 12 minutes to cross – definitely work the $50.25 toll just for the experience, and it’s nice to know the money is used to maintain the structure.

There are two great vantage points from the New Brunswick side. At the foot of the bridge, in Bayfield, walk down a boardwalk near the ocean, through coastal forests and marshes. The land around the boardwalk is undeveloped, undisturbed and idyllic. The path eventually connects to a nature centre.

Cape Jourimain Nature Centre is much more than just a gift shop and restaurant. You can broaden your knowledge by learning about the construction of the “Fixed Link” from NB to the Island in an environmentally-friendly building.

The bridge was built from both ends towards the middle, with a gentle curve to reinforce its strength. The bridge took four years to build at a total cost of $1 billion dollars. It has changed Island life forever.