The High Level Bridge near Lethbridge has stood for more than a hundred years and counting.

In fact, it’s so iconic that many people assume it’s related to the nearby city of Lethbridge.

The Lethbridge Viaduct spans the river valley and was actually named after the first president of the North Western Coal and Navigation Company, William Lethbridge.

But having a population of over 100,000 in a nearby city called Lethbridge definitely fits in well with this dramatic hallmark of Southern Alberta.

A bridge that spans the coulees

The High Level Bridge is located just west of Lethbridge, crossing nearly 100 metres over the Oldman River.

It’s owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and still functions today, which means you can spot a train crossing the trestle bridge daily.

CPR was vital to establishing Lethbridge as a regional hub for trade. They moved their local operations there in 1905 and opened a new route to Fort Macleod with the unveiling of the trestle bridge.

Forging a route to the nearby coal mines, work that exploded near Lethbridge at the turn of the century, was a key goal for CPR.

Construction was completed in 1909, well over a hundred years ago, and it still stands as the longest and highest trestle bridge in the world.

It even captured the attention of producers of The Last of Us (2023), who featured it in episode four of the TV series. The bridge also fascinated Hollywood in 1976 when it was used as a setting for the film Silver Streak.

Access to the bridge is located at the west end of 3rd Ave. South and Scenic Drive in Lethbridge.

This impressive feature of the city has been in use for over a century, and in 2005, it was recognized as an event of national historical significance.

No trip to the Southern Alberta city is complete without catching a glimpse of the Lethbridge Viaduct.

If you’re lucky, you’ll also see a train inching across the tracks and the scenic Alberta landscape. How picturesque!

The High Level Bridge/Lethbridge Viaduct

Where: Scenic Drive S. and 3rd Avenue S., Lethbridge, Alta.

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Em Medland-Marchen

Em is a Staff Writer for Curiocity Calgary. They are passionate about live music, rose gardens, iced coffee, and walks along the Bow River.

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