Port Robinson, Ontario

Port Robinson is a small community in the southernmost part of

Like all the ports on the first Welland Canal, Port Robinson was named after a member of the

The east tower of the bridge toppled over, while the west tower collapsed in on itself. The bridge span was pushed into the water, severely deformed. The damage to the bridge was estimated as between $15 and $20 million. It was scrapped in its entirety. The removal of the towers from the canal, especially the counterweights (some 300 tons each), necessitated the use of a special heavy-duty floating crane. The canal was closed until September 9 for the repairs.

The Steelton suffered damage to its bow and

There was no loss of life. The bridge master, Albert Beaver, and a watchman on the ship suffered minor injuries.

The ensuing investigation concluded that the ship failed to blow the whistle to signal its approach and the bridge could not be raised in time.

After the accident, rebuilding the bridge or building a tunnel to replace it was considered. In the end, it was concluded that the volume of local vehicular traffic was not sufficient to warrant such an expense. Instead, a passenger ferry service was launched in early 1977. The ferry can transport people and bicycles, but is not big enough for cars, thus forcing residents who want to use a car to take the long route. In 2015, amid debate about discontinuing the ferry, it was estimated that the ferry carries 2000 pedestrians and 6000 touring cyclists per year.^[2]

A similar accident occurred at Bridge 11 in

• Aftermath of Welland Canal Bridge 12 Collision
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Notes