This is the only bridge to a massive island. It's falling apart. [LH]

HELP KEEP THIS SERIES RUNNING:
ko-fi.com/warr...
Manitoulin Island is the largest freshwater island in the world. Its only land connection to the rest of Ontario is a 110-year-old, one-lane bridge. And it's falling apart.
In this video, we'll learn about the railway company that built the bridge and why it's so significant to many islanders, where it's become a symbol of their home. #LivingHistoryCA
Part two, on the Wasauksing Swing Bridge:
• Another failing bridge...
WATCH NEXT WEEK’S FOOTNOTES VIDEO FOR MORE ON THIS STORY!
***
ABOUT THE SERIES:
Living History is a series of short documentaries about parts of our history that are still physically visible in some way, while also remaining relevant in the present day. Its first run will focus on stories in Ontario, with future goals of expanding across Canada and beyond. The first episode premiered on May 4, 2023, and there will be new videos (including Footnotes and other bonus content) every Thursday until December, 2023.
ABOUT THE CREATOR:
Warren Schlote is an award-winning multimedia storyteller based in Sudbury, Ont. He has extensive experience in daily news journalism and feature writing, largely through The Manitoulin Expositor and CBC News, but creating documentaries remains his passion. Please visit WarrenSchlote.ca to learn more about Warren.

[@kevincgrabb]

Hello from South Korea! My parents live on the island and I went there every summer as a kid. Excellent video.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Wow, I think you take the prize for the most long-distance viewer! Thanks very much for checking it out and leaving a comment!

[@inyobill]

@@WarrenTheReporter Further than me, Nordrhein'/Westfalen, Germany.

[@AngelaGemmill]

Manitoulin Island holds great memories for so many people. The swing bridge is our gateway to the slower-paced ‘Island Time.’ I can see how so many people feel a connection to the old bridge. Thanks for the fascinating history lesson on this well-loved bridge, Warren. 👏

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Thank you, Angela!

[@debestcanadian]

Born and raised on Manitoulin. I'm really happy that they'll be honouring the old bridge by modeling the new one after it.

[@Yaya-dd2mv]

Hello fellow islander

[@AGentlemansJourney77]

This video brought back memories. I'm originally from Sudbury but have been living in Toronto for 20 years. I would go to the island every summer to my parents camp up until 2015 when they sold it. Good old memories. Thank you for the video.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Thank you for the comment and sharing your story! I've just put out a video on Sudbury's regreening story; you might appreciate checking it out if you haven't watched it yet!

[@AGentlemansJourney77]

@@WarrenTheReporter I already have. Very much enjoyed the video, young man.

[@mbiasutti]

That was some top notch editing on that proposed bridge design

[@WarrenTheReporter]

I agonized over those graphics for several days, thank you for noticing

[@johnnyeppelseed]

Buddy that final shot of the bridge swinging with you on it???? So cool?!?

[@WarrenTheReporter]

I'm so grateful that I sort of had permission to do it! Thanks very much :)

[@opathe2nd973]

Been there by boat and car and I remember crossing it. Only Canada would appreciate it's historic importance. This is one Yank who always loved my trips by boat to visit our cousins. Super video

[@murrat]

I would suggest a fixed bridge replacement that has a 65 foot clearance. Florida has this installed on the ICW and my 43 foot sailboat had no issues even with tides going up and down. Less maintenance and no risk of breaking.

[@Sandpipercom]

When they built the st Joesph Island bridge a few hours west, it's only 38 feet high so the shortcut to the north channel requires a third of our sailng club to sail the long way all around the island.

[@murrat]

@@Sandpipercom I know that bridge and it's too bad it so low.

[@pamelaholmes9084]

we lived on the manitoulin when i was a preschooler. and then went back many times as my parents ended up with a "camp" as they call it there on the island. watching your excellent documentary makes me realize i am quite attached to that old bridge still. it really does demarcate two worlds, or did when i was last there.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Thank you for watching and sharing your family story with us!

[@markmartindale7215]

Well done! I'm a fan of "nerdy" architecture and engineering channels. I've watched hours this stuff from various creators. In my opinion, you're off to a good start!

[@4knanapapa]

As a kid back in the 50s our family would drive from Detroit to Little Current so my dad and his friend could go fishing, a yearly event, we would drive up the Espinola rd, at that time a very curvy dirt track, very exciting to a 7 year old, I remember the bridge vividly again a very exciting experience in my youth, we stayed at a camp on the bay owned by a man I believed named Austin and his wife Nola, I remember her name because it was the name of their boat, great memories and experiences for a youngster.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

That sounds like a heck of a way to spend your childhood! I remember there used to be a Nola who wrote a column for us at The Manitoulin Expositor (well, long before I worked there), I wonder if it was the same person or if there were more Nolas afoot on the Island. Thank you for watching!

[@garysprandel1817]

Lockport Illinois removed the last bobtail swing bridge over the Chicago SAG channel ( the same channel dug to make the Chicago River flow backwards) in the early 90s. The bridge couldn't be left in place but instead of cutting it up for scrap it was set over over a wetland near the new bridge on the Desplaines River trail.

[@saber1105]

Great video! KZbin randomly recommended and I am glad I clicked! Good editing and pace of narration 👍

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Thank you very much for checking it out!

[@Ruffi0]

Good video. I’m impressed that they listened to the people and are adding a new swing bridge.

[@freedpeeb]

Great video. Thanks.

[@bradmalecki6579]

I think this guys has the potential to become the Vsauce of Canadian History

[@BoarVessel-BCEstruscanceramic]

Or Tom Scott :)) Great work, sir!

[@ScubaSteveCanada]

Close. Did he mention that Manitoulin island is the largest fresh water island in the world? He missed the most significant fact and just called it a massive island. No Did he mention there is a need to ensure the balance integrity is maintained when working on the bridge? No. No A+ just an A.

[@chickey333]

Potential to Become the Vsauce of Canadian history? Had he given us the Planck Speed of a 100 year old swing bridge I would have believed it!

[@MyLovelyOnlineFriend]

Or could he? *Music starts*

[@HolidayHerself]

Tripped across the video and so glad I did. I live in Webbwood and never knew what the fate of the swing bridge was. Excellent video!! Well done! Thank you

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Thank you very much for watching! Please help spread the series around to anyone else who might find it interesting!

[@northlander4370]

we take the Chi-Cheemaun from Tobermory to South Baymouth to camp on the island , when we leave we cross the bridge and take hwy 6 to Espanola to visit with my brother-in-law and his wife , then we take hwy 17 to 69 and south to home ..love the old bridge , great video

[@CMDRSweeper]

With the new renditions of the Scott Francis bridge (For the uninitiated, the bridge that got destroyed by a cargo ship running into it, the Dali) it looks awful. A bland cable bridge that exists everywhere, the old one seemed to have some character and interesting shapes. So I can understand the locals here on this island actually liking this old swing bridge, it has character. I do not live there, but you can clearly see it is special and would catch the eye for anyone visiting the area, so it is a smart choice to build a new one that does the job, but also seems to have the same "soul" as the old bridge.

[@sherriking7917]

I have driven over the bridge numerous times and waited for it to open in my sail boat many times, it would be a shame to see it go, pls just leave it in the open position, many good memories !!!

[@illustrecombattante]

Great video! One of the articles I wrote in the first few months I was working for Radio-Canada was about the different options to replace the swing bridge. It was on August 22nd 2018, so almost 5 years ago. I crossed the bridge for the first time almost 3 years later, in June 2021.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Merci, Miguelle-Éloïse! That's very interesting, it seems we started reporting in northern Ontario around the exact same time - I started working at The Expositor in July 2018!

[@herzogsbuick]

sometime in the past year, i read about swing bridges and checked these out on le maps. too cool. great video too, subscribed!

[@LOUDgeresq]

Fantastic video, Warren. You're a great presenter and, no surprize - writer. Thanks for this.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Thank you very much for watching and for your kind comment!

[@theclearsounds3911]

No mention of the Chi-Cheemaun, the ferry from Tobermory to South Baymouth! I have many happy memories of traveling on it as a kid and a grown-up. Still, I also love that swing bridge, and I hope they find a solution that will make most people happy.

[@MrTurboFour]

Thanks for sharing! I grew up in Sudbury and went to the island many times with my family.

[@OddLeah]

I've only been across the Manitoulin bridge once, in 2009. I recognized it immediately from the thumbnail. Manitoulin is a very special place, and I hope to get back there some day.

[@motorv8N]

Thanks for a great story. I’ve crossed over and under the Parry Island bridge many times. A great little piece of Ontario.

[@glasbo]

Very interesting! I’m planning a road trip that will take me over this bridge. Looking forward to seeing it in person now. Thanks Warren.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

I trust you'll be making a video of your journey, so I look forward to seeing what you come up with! Thanks for watching :)

[@sha1om]

Alfred Pancoast Boller designed almost all the bridges over the Harlem River in New York City. This one looks just like those bridges before they were replaced, and NYC decided to replace them with near-identical structures. I wonder if that influenced the authorities here to do the same.

[@sebastienlabbe4647]

Delightful video! I've always wanted to create these kinds of videos for Canadian landmarks, such as the giant Buddha statue near the Ontario-Quebec border along the 401, and the Projet Éole wind turbine.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Thank you! I wanted to do something like this for the better part of a decade and I finally took some time off work to chase it. Thanks for mentioning those other spots too, I wasn't familiar with them! I will have to do some more reading.

[@raystlouis]

What an amazing video. You have a gift of telling stories. Awesome work. I love that bridge and have traversed it more times than I can count. They should consider cutting it up, give the beams and other iron parts to local businesses for decorative/nostalgic displays. Like a beautiful exposed iron beam building support in a restaurant would be pretty cool, as a basic example. Sell the rest for scrap $. At any rate, keep up the great work. 👍🏽👍🏽🤜🏽🤛🏽

[@WarrenTheReporter]

It'd be a heck of a way to raise funds toward the cost of the replacement! Thanks for the kind comment, Ray!

[@Blackstar1701]

good work warren

[@GoingtoHecq]

I hope the people like their new bridge. Will the old bridge be left swung open? Maybe it could be used for fishing? I the Florida keys the large old standing sections of the railway bridge are now pedestrian areas where hundreds of people fish for dinner. Being able to keep their old bridge is great.

[@williamcody6529]

That bridge, that traffic, and hot summer days. I’m so thankful it’s going to be two lanes now! 🥵

[@Sandpipercom]

I am disapppointed that you didnt includ some credit at the end of your video of the other 2 swing bridges close by in Sault Ste Marie, at the Soo Lock built in 1888. The rail bridge swings daily for 2 trains, while the other the lock emergency swing bridge is to stop the flow of water in the locks using gates.

[@urglegurgle5807]

I guess it depends on how bad the bridge is, but it’s not unusual for old railway/ road bridges to be used for recreational foot and cycle traffic, as the loads are much lighter.

[@CanuckErrant]

Considering how the LaSalle Causeway replacement in Kingston has been going, I'm pessimistic about these bridges being replaced before they're unusable.

[@johnzuck6163]

We have one of those in Prince Albert Saskatchewan over the north Saskatchewan river…swing got jammed by an ice flow and hasn’t worked for decades. It’s still in use for railroad traffic.

[@kbjerke]

Yep. My guess last week was correct. I've been across this bridge many, many times. Not in the last 30 years, though. Thanks for the memories!

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Well done, thanks for following the series!

[@kbjerke]

Thank you VERY much for revealing so much of Ontario's forgotten history!! Best wishes for your channel's continuing success! @@WarrenTheReporter

[@kevinbyrne4538]

2:26 -- Boller & Hodge -- founded by Alfred P. Boller (1840 - 1912) & Henry Wilson Hodge (1865 - 1919)

[@Thisoldhiker]

Along with the example picture of the Macombs Dam Bridge at 2:32, there are numerous bridges from the same firm around New York City.

[@janetcohen9190]

Nice story on unique places, connected by a dynamic RR bridge that was adapted to be dual-purpose RR & wheeled vehicles, besides living creatures not riding in/on either. Questions: Since the bridge was modified to be functional for both RR and vehicles, through later to only vehicles, pedestrians, bycicles. How was and is the bridge and adjoining roadways maintained, "treated" during say the months of November to April? What materials, ingredients are used?

[@jeffdege4786]

Give your combat engineers a chance. They could put a Bailey bridge across those gaps in a couple of hours. They'd block traffic on the water, but neither seems to be a critical waterway.

[@paulparker4240]

I DO like the bridge and appreciate it and believes the efforts to replace it with a two-lane physically similar structure is the finest solution. My personal preference shall always be up the 400, through Owen Sound and enjoy the Chi Cheemaun there and back again!

[@GaryCameron]

I've crossed that bridge this summer. It's practically a symbol of the island.

[@eddyalex6803]

Toll booth bro it sound like a win win...the bridge gets maintenance and it well look good always

[@drgallup]

I hope to live long enough to see the replacement bridge. Not holding my breath.

[@lightningboat]

This is amazing - you could be the next Tom Scott!

[@fnln544]

Great tie in with your start in journalism at the long existing newspaper.

[@jackthegiantkiller388]

a very good presentation thank you !

[@DanielLehan]

Warren,try going throughout town getting a petition signed with letters from residents and businesses.If you can get grass-roots support,then you should be able to get the state,local, and National representatives attention to build a new,and better bridge that supports modern day traffic needs.

[@MarlenaBuxton]

Is there a link for Part 2 on the Parry Island bridge?

[@WarrenTheReporter]

I should have put that in the description, my apologies! It's there now, but here you are: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWqzdmeeptF2oqc

[@jango268]

Great video, me and my fiance are going to go to the cup and saucer this year and bring my son across the bridge for the first time before its gone, or permanently open.

[@geoffreylee5199]

The highway south from Espanola, on 17 south was called 68, to SouthBayMouth

[@-Katastrophe]

Could they not redirect water traffic north and just connect the two islands with a berm?

[@ralphe5842]

I’ve been on these bridges in 1982 and as I remember the railroad tracks were still on the bridge and I think trains still used it at least the first one I drove to the car ferry at the other end I’m sorry but it’s just an old bridge of little use not worth worrying about it in my city we had many identical bridges and thank goodness they were replaced when I crossed it I just thought wow there must be nothing of importance here to have such an obsolete (and to be honest ugly)bridge as access as it would be easy to replace and I’m shocked it is still there.

[@dillypentland]

So glad I stumbled across this video and account.

[@Slumdog_Engineer]

Thanks for the video! 👍

[@justjules150]

The bridge is home 🏡 and a tattoo on my back!

[@WarrenTheReporter]

That's very special!

[@curiosity2314]

I hate to say it but get rid of the old bridge before it costs 4 billion in the future to do so. History is interesting when it comes to structures but there comes a time to move on and this is a good example of that theory.

[@briansokoloski776]

Any Estimated Cost on New Swing Bridge and what was cost of Original Swing Bridge

[@belovedwanderer8546]

Lol remember going over and thinking 🤔 this looks a little sketchy

[@jefferykeeper9034]

Here's a idea why not make the old bridge a trail for walking and biking.

[@goclunker]

Manitoulin Island was great! My Parents and I drove up and camped there

[@richardst-laurent6660]

It should be up to the railway company to maintain them. They had them built they own em then it's there responsibility. As for the road bridge it's the responsibility of the provincial government.

[@stanleybest8833]

Roadsalt may have been tracked onto the bridge. Cost saving measures could be using rubber based asphalt to save weight, and replacinv parts of the bridge with aluminum instead of steel, to save mass and weight.

[@RailPreserver2K]

Maybe they could build a new bridge beside the old one and turn the old one into a pedestrian bridge

[@shanekingsbury4627]

Watching this video thinking "Magic of editing? It's gonna be the same. Nothing's gonna change. They're gonna do the s-" *snap* "CALLED IT!"

[@WarrenTheReporter]

You're getting to know me too well, Shane! 😂 Thanks very much for your ongoing support!

[@tester1ca]

I have been both over and under that bridge. A new longer bridge type structure should be built from Tobermory to South Baymouth which would be an engineering feat in itself.

[@garyjene9146]

Can always build a tunnel to replace the bridge. Haven't been up on the island for over 30 yrs.

[@theclearsounds3911]

You have to blast that rock the whole way to build a tunnel! Possible, but I think a replacement bridge would be much easier. I'm no civil engineer, but I've been to Manitoulin island as a kid, and there just isn't much top soil.

[@rudigerhasselmann3601]

Wir haben in Bremerhaven / Deutschland ebenfalls eine alte Drehbrücke gehabt. Die ist allerdings vor geraumer Zeit durch die lange Nutzungszeit marode geworden und "Zusammengebrochen". Jetzt ist in Bremerhaven das Problem, dass beide Hafenteile Zollbereiche sind. Und wenn Container von einem zum anderen Hafenteil gebracht werden müßen, zollamtliche Maßnahmen stattfinden müßen. Für eine Strecke von ca. 4 km Umweg durch die Stadt.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Wow, das klingt nach einem ziemlichen problem für die leute, die dort arbeiten! Sehr interessant, danke fürs teilen :)

[@rudigerhasselmann3601]

@@WarrenTheReporter Das Problem ist, dass Container bei Eurogate und North Sea Terminal in Bremerhaven ankommen und in den Kaiserhaven gebracht werden müßen. Und bis zum Kollaps der Drehbrücke hat man das Zollgebiet nicht verlassen. Nun muß man aber durch den Zoll "Roter Sand" rausfahren und am Zoll Kaiserschleuse wieder rein. Ab und an gibt es ein Fährschiff, dass die Brücke ersetzt. Aber da gibt es auch Probleme. Und die Fähre muß an die Seite fahren, wenn in dem Verbindungskanal ein Schiff passieren muß.

[@michaelpjeffries1521]

A fixed link was promised to Prince Edward Island. No such thing exists for every damn island in the country. Most use some type of ferry service. You need to remember the maps of Canada were drawn by canoe and beavers . Not infernal combustion engines.

[@Jipper1984]

Stellar:)

[@Obamaistoast2012]

If these bridges were properly maintained they should last 200 hundred years

[@markfinn0]

Is there significant shipping traffic through that channel? Could it be detoured to go past the south side of the island?

[@WarrenTheReporter]

There's occasional commercial shipping traffic that passes through, but it's largely used for cruise ships and sailboats. Sailors along the North Channel are a huge part of the local economy so cutting off the route would have quite major impacts on the Island.

[@TheShaleco]

Awe baby warren! 3:20

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Back when I was a wee lad! Almost three whole years ago!

[@austintabobondung1459]

Are you allowed to walk/bike across the bridge i live in parry sound so i know we are allowed to on our bridge

[@WarrenTheReporter]

Yes! There is a sidewalk on the west side of the bridge for people walking and biking, and for the operator to get to the control room. Thanks for watching!

[@Heavilymoderated]

It’s kind of crazy that the swing bridge lasted as long as it has.

[@Nite640]

no idea what brought me to this video, but interesting for sure, lmao

[@greggpon7466]

Mamitoulin island is the biggest island surrounded by fresh water in the world.

[@belovedwanderer8546]

Great video make's me actually want to go back some how lol

[@ThePTBRULES]

Just renovate the bridge. It's fine.

[@southerncross4956]

You are correct it does not make a lot of sense. I hope for the peoples sake that logic and reason prevail.

[@Roy-gi5ul]

History matters!

[@jimdr63]

I’m waiting for a review of Copper Cliff and Murray Mine ?

[@yinglyca1]

Can't have everything, Time to get with the times. Gotta upgrade to a new "Ultra Modern Bridge" Can't keep living in the 1900's

[@arc4705]

Ah damn. I laughed at "Boller" sounding like "baller" 😔😔 Haven't matured past 13

[@ronparrish6666]

I think we got one of these on the east side of Peterborough ont

[@FatSquidward]

Can they not be restored?

[@Finny-kx3fk]

Can someone tell me if he was referring to provincial or federal government? Thank you

[@WarrenTheReporter]

This bridge is owned and operated by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, so it falls under the provincial government. Thank you for watching!

[@crazycomet8635]

It would be cheaper to buy back the houses

[@RealmWeInhabit]

I live near the Trent Canal near Bolsover. A local swing bridge was torn down for replacement. Once the bridge was removed the Feds cancelled the rebuild. Unfortunately we don’t have money for Canadian infrastructure, but we have money to send away for foreign “aid”. Thanks for this video. I plan on riding my motorcycle to Manitoulin island this summer. Never been there.

[@ocacruises]

My understanding was that they couldn't find anyone to build it within budget. Considering there are two other bridges within 3mins of this one it likely just wasn't a priority.

[@ricladouceur6202]

Tunnel!

[@ronbelanger4113]

Build some ferry docks.

[@TimSlee1]

It should be a heritage listed sight.

[@James-xu3vc]

#schwing ❤

[@DjWhitehead-rv8ki]

LH north could fix em

[@suddenlysolo2170]

Did you forget about the ferry to the island? I lived on Vancouver Island and several of the smaller Gulf Islands for 40 years and managed just fine with the ferry service. Real islands don't have bridges.

[@richp6555]

How do people figure that Manitoulin is northern Ontario? It's way more south than north.

[@WarrenTheReporter]

It's a bit of a geographical anomaly in that administratively it's considered part of a northern district, but the landscape is absolutely more like the south. I don't draw the maps, I just follow 'em!

[@emjaydark2811]

Called " Near North".

[@debestcanadian]

While it's geographically in the south, the economy and culture are without question of the north.

[@nolifenerdwhohasnevergotten]

"Northern Ontario" is an administrative term and refers to anything north of the French River.

[@debestcanadian]

@jacobfalardeau676 Well that doesn't really help clarify things since Manitoulin is pretty much entirely south of the French River, but is administratively in the North

[@donjohnson3701]

....cut off from the rest of Canada! Is that a bad thing?