The Footbridge

In the early days, the parish of Baie-Sainte-Anne had several small schools serving students by region, including the one in Eel River. Since there was no bus service, students in this region walked to school. This was a long journey for students who lived on the opposite side of the school.


1958 Photo.
So, with the help of parents, these students crossed the river by boat. Since many parents and local government officials thought that this means of transportation was unsafe, they looked for another way to get the students across. They came to the conclusion that building a suspension bridge would be the best solution.


Joseph Savoie.
In 1946, plans for the construction of the Eel River footbridge were approved and registered by the government. Construction began in the spring and was completed in the fall of the same year. The bridge measured approximately 300 feet. Alphé Mazerolle, Alec Duplessis, and Wellie Mazerolle were the pioneers who contributed to the construction of the bridge, all three of whom were residents of Eel River. Many local employees and volunteers joined them later on.


1970 Photo.
At first, pedestrians only had two planks to cross on. A few years later, a third plank was added to the bridge. A beam was also built in the middle of the river to provide support, as the bridge was beginning to hang lower and lower because the steel cables had become stretched. The bridge was destroyed by fire on October 31, 1972.


The McIntyres: Nancy, Margaret, Greg, Wilfred and Sheldon.
This information was collected by students at the Baie-Sainte-Anne Regional School in 2011 as part of a heritage project.


Albert, Paul and Gilles, children of Bernice à Jimmy à Jack Mazerolle.