When the original Louise Bridge opened in 1881, it not only brought together two communities on either side of Winnipeg's Red River, it was responsible for altering the course of Canada's first transcontinental railroad.

Named for Princess Louise, in honour of the daughter of Queen Victoria (who reigned until January 1901), the bridge was the first permanent river span in Winnipeg.

It was modest at just 62 metres long and eight metres wide, but the bridge played a massive role in convincing the C…