The fate of Victoria’s Johnson Street Bridge may finally be decided today. Created by the Strauss Bascule Company (best known for San Fransisco’s Golden Gate Bridge) the bridge is something of an under appreciated design landmark.  Said to be the only remaining example of its kind, the Strauss Split Bascule design utilizes massive concrete blocks as counterweights to raise two independent decks (one for rail and one for everyone else). Now approaching ninety years old, the “Blue Bridge” needs significant repairs and seismic upgrades.  Through a process that sparked significant debate and controversy, Victoria city council opted last year to replace rather than repair the existing bridge. Determined to save the bridge and frustrated by a lack of consultation, thousands of Victoria residents forced a referendum on the issue. Residents will vote today on whether to approve a city plan to borrow $49,200,000 for the construction of a new bridge. The utilitarian charms of the Johnson Street Bridge have obviously fallen out of fashion and functionally, its not without flaws. But in the face of so much faux historic architecture and middle of the road condo developments, the city might be well advised to embrace a little of its authentic character.

Comments

Michael ErdmannNovember 22, 2010
It’s official… goodbye Blue Bridge – <http://rsrce.ca/n/58>
DubieSeptember 9, 2017
Support this petition to save our city’s heritage landmark, The Johnson Street Bridge, locked upright for all time. Our bridge has held records for a counter weight style bridge since 1924. Joseph Strauss designed this Bascule bridge and later designed The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Don’t let them tear down our heritage landmarks, that define our city. It’s criminal ! Keep it locked in an upright position. It will compliment the replacement Johnson Street Bridge, that’s on its right. They are a similar direction lifting bridge style. Imagine both bridge spans raised together, side by side, at the end of Johnson street, like a salute from the past to the future ! We can transform the deck of the bridge in to a canvas. Have local artists display a mural,that we can change every five or six months. Email me if you have any thoughts Sheldon: [dubie\_tie\_dye\_and\_hemp@yahoo.ca](mailto:dubie_tie_dye_and_hemp@yahoo.ca) <https://www.change.org/p/city-of-victoria-save-the-johnson-street-bridge>
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