048 - London’s Bridges 🌉
Considering this city has stretched out from the forks of a river, it’s little surprise that London finds itself home to its fair share of bridges. Whether you’re crossing over water, or travelling from A to B on a more metaphorical level, here’s a list featuring some of our favourite ways to span the gap.
🏗️ Blackfriars Bridge
After being taken apart and removed for repair, London’s Blackfriars Bridge has returned and is set to officially re-open to pedestrian, cyclist and motor traffic this Saturday, December 1st. This “wrought iron bowstring arch-truss bridge” from 1875 is the longest of its type left in North America...making it an obvious choice to start this list.
🖌️ London Convention Centre Skyway Bridge
On a practical level, the LCC Skyway Bridge connects guests of the London Convention Centre to the DoubleTree Hotel. While this is kinda cool, it’s the graffiti adorning the structure that’s the real draw. Created during this past summer’s Masterpiece London street festival, the artwork has animated an otherwise dull stretch of street with a welcome dose of energy and interest.
🚶 Maurice Chapman Walkway's Bridge
Running along the river from the Springbank Gardens Community Centre to the Springbank Pumphouse, the Maurice Chapman Walkway is a beautiful section of a larger path system connecting Greenway and Springbank parks. Just between the two landmarks you’ll find a little footbridge that provides a great view up and down the river.
🛍️ Brydges Street Merchants Market
Home to over 80 vendors, this antique mall on (wait for it) Brydges St. has kept Londoners connected to the past for years now. They’re open seven days a week, and it’s nearly impossible to ignore the blasts-from-the-past to be found when wandering its halls. “Recent” finds have included the ultimate in glassware, Alien Life Forms, Promises, and Cher’s Dressing Room.
⭕ Bridges out of Poverty - Circles
Connecting individuals on Ontario Works to a network of mentors and the wider community, Bridges Out of Poverty - Circles has been bridging the transition out of poverty with great success since its first pilot project launched back in 2014.
⚠️ Bonus: Talbot St. Overpass
There’s not many bridges with their own Twitter account (though, London does have at least four), but this one has become infamous for its seemingly magnetic pull on trucks that should not be driving under it.
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