Happy 53rd birthday, MacDonald Bridge!

Amanita · #1 Posted: **Apr 2, 2008, 4:56 PM**

The elder of our two harbour bridges turns 53 today!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angus_L._Macdonald_Bridge

MacDonald Bridge, hard to believe it's been 53 years since we walked and drove across the harbour with you for the first time!
Hurricanes, snowstorms, rumours of curses, and even a runaway oil rig- You've shrugged them off and held your ground admirably.

Thanks for 53 years of service and here's hopes for many, many more!

Spitfire75 · #2 Posted: **Apr 2, 2008, 9:59 PM**

Runaway oil rig?

Keith P. · #3 Posted: **Apr 2, 2008, 10:07 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spitfire75

Runaway oil rig?

Yep -- I think in the late 70s, though I stand to be corrected. But in any event, a semi-submersible oil rig broke free of its moorings in the harbor one day and was drifting towards the base of one of the bridge towers before being corralled. It was that incident that led to the rock pilings or riprap being built to surround the tower bases in the harbor. They are intended to protect the towers from such incidents.

Amanita · #4 Posted: **Apr 3, 2008, 12:10 AM**

The oil rig incident took place in 1982, when a rig broke loose from its moorings and started drifting towards the bridge, persued by tugboats. The rig was rounded up about 300 feet from the bridge.
The incident was the catilyst for the installation of the protective rock fenders around the bases of both bridge's towers.