The Canso Causeway

History and Facts

CANSO CAUSEWAY AND CANAL TIMELINE

Project Announced: October 9, 1951

Cape Porcupine site preparation began: July, 1952

Official start ceremonies: Sept. 16, 1952

Canso Canal construction began: April, 1953

Causeway reaches Cape Breton: December 10th, 1954

10,200,000 tons rock fill completed: December 31st, 1954

First train across: April 18, 1955

First vehicular traffic: May 20, 1955

Official Opening: August 13, 1955

First commercial vessel through the Canal: Sept. 9, 1955

First Superintendent of the Canso Canal: Victor Kyte

Average number of vehicles per day crossing the Canso Causeway: yr1956: 714, yr2002: 8040

Average number of boats per year through the Canso Canal: yr1957: 1273, yr2002: 2042

Canso Causeway and Canal 1952-1955

Statistics

CANSO CAUSEWAY

Length through water: 4500 feet, 1371.6 m

Length from Auld’s Cove: 7000 feet, 2134 m

Surface Width: 80 feet, 24.38 m

Widest point on ocean floor: 860 feet, 262 m

Depth at deepest point: 217 feet, 66.14 m

CANSO CANAL LOCK

Length (gate to gate): 800 feet, 243.8 m

Width 80 feet 24.4 m

Depth (bottom to top of wall): 50 feet, 15.2 m

Draft: 28 to 30 feet, 8.5m

BRIDGE

Length: 308 feet, 93.88 meters

Weight: 1,520 Tons, 1,378.68 tonnes

Pivot: 38 inches, 0.965 meters

Total Cost: $23,000,000

Web Page provided by Meghan J. Shannon