Blue Bridge Series #2 Sunset on VIA

 

Rail service was discontinued in March 2011 when corrosion was discovered on the bridge tracks. The VIA Rail "Dayliner" serviced the Western Communities with one daily round trip to Courtney and back.  A distance of 225km.  There are no rails included in the new bridge plan so Esquimalt Station is now the end of the line.  The rail bridge was dismantled in 2012.

Blue Bridge Series #1 Slippery When Wet

The Johnson St Bridge opened for use to pedestrians, cyclists, cars, streetcars, horse and wagons and trains in 1924.  It consisted of two separate parallel bridge spans - one for the E and N railway.   It provides  access between the Inner Harbour and the Gorge waterway for marine traffic.  It was black until repairs in 1979 when it was painted blue.   In 2010 Victoria City Councillors voted to replace rather than upgrade the old bridge and in a referendum, the city of Victoria residents approved by 60%  the borrowing of money to replace the bridge.