B is for Bloor Viaduct
B is for Bloor viaduct
"The bridge goes up in a dream. It will link the east with the centre of the city. It will carry traffic, water and electricity across the Don Valley. It will carry trains that have not even been invented yet."
— In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje
The Prince Edward Viaduct, or Bloor Viaduct as it is commonly known, was constructed between 1915 and 1918.
The project was controversial: the public referenda about its construction were defeated three times before it was finally approved in 1913.
This bridge extended Bloor Street East, connecting the city to the developing community along Danforth Avenue on the east side of the Don River. The viaduct is one of the most significant infrastructure projects in Toronto's history.
Bloor Street viaduct, west side during construction of Pier E
January 26, 1915
Photograph
Baldwin Collection of Canadiana
Bloor Street viaduct, west side during construction of Pier E
June 7, 1915
Photograph
Baldwin Collection of Canadiana
Bloor Street viaduct, construction of east side looking west
February 28, 1916
Photograph
Baldwin Collection of Canadiana
Bloor Street viaduct, looking northwest during construction
Owen Staples, 1866 – 1949 1915
Watercolour and tempera over pencil
Baldwin Collection of Canadiana
The building of the viaduct was completed using elaborate wooden cranes, steam engines, winches and pulleys, and hand labour because modern hydraulic machines were not yet widely available. The work continued through World War I, when both men and materials were in short supply.
Explore more!
Discover many more photographs of the Bloor Viaduct under construction in our flickr albumbelow or by searching our Digital Archive.
