This steel truss bridge over the Red River in Selkirk, measuring 740 feet long by 26 feet wide, was designed by engineer Arthur John Showell Taunton. It was constructed between 1935 and 1936 as a Depression-era public works project, to replace an existing ferry, by the Winnipeg firms of Macaw and Macdonald and Dominion Bridge at a total cost of $250,000. The centre section was designed to be raised by a system of pulleys and counterweights to allow ships to pass under the bridge.
The bridge was closed in early 1992 for refurbishment until being re-opened for traffic on 1 September 1992. It was offically re-opened by Highways & Transportation Minister Albert Driedger on 12 September 1992, and a commemorative plaque affixed to mark the event affixed to the western approach onto the bridge.
Selkirk Lift Bridge (1936)
Source: Kenneth Macaw (via David Ennis)
Selkirk Lift Bridge (September 2010)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
Selkirk Lift Bridge (May 2019)
Source: Rose Kuzina
Aerial view of the Selkirk Lift Bridge (July 2020)
Source: George Penner
Selkirk Lift Bridge commemorative plaque (September 2025)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N50.14139, W96.86900
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Arthur John Showell Taunton (1888-1974)
Manitoba Business: M and M Construction / Macaw and Macdonald
Manitoba Business: Dominion Bridge Company
“Tenders asked for building Selkirk Bridge,” Winnipeg Tribune, 22 December 1934, page 7.
“Building notes,” Winnipeg Tribune, 3 August 1935, page 24.
“$250,000 bridge at Selkirk will be ready for summer,” Winnipeg Tribune, 4 April 1936, page 1.
“Lift Bridge reopening sparks weight debate,” Selkirk Journal, 1 September 1992, page 7.
Site 07: Selkirk Bridge, Red River North Heritage.
The Selkirk Lift Bridge, City of Selkirk Museum.
We thank Lisa Wilhelm, David Ennis, Rose Kuzina, and George Penner for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough, Jordan Makichuk, and Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 5 October 2025
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