August 13, 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of the official opening of the Canso Causeway.
In 1903, a proposal known as the “Strait of Canso Bridge” was presented to government. The plan was to build a 4,370 ft steel cantilever bridge.
Source: Wikipedia
The causeway is 4,500 feet across and is 80 feet wide. At the deepest point, it goes down 217 feet. The swing bridge portion is 308 feet long and the Canso Canal is 1870 feet long & 80 feet wide.
Railway diversions for Canso Causeway Construction
Date: 1954
Source: virtualmuseum.ca
The construction of the Causeway required 10,092,000 tons of rock from Cape Porcupine & cost approx 22 million dollars
Source: Parks Canada
Trains crossing the Canso Causeway during its construction.
Source: beatoninstitute.com
From 1955 to the early 1990s, motorists were charged a toll which was discontinued after the construction costs were paid off.
Prior to the completion of the Canso Causeway, Cape Breton was connected to the Mainland via Ferry which docked in Mulgrave.
An estimated 40, 000 people attended the official opening of the Canso Causeway. Below are some pictures of the day, compiled by the Port Hastings Historical Society.
