100-Old Bridge Over Grande-Rivière-Nord-Ouest, A Historical Overview

Four bridges have been constructed over the Grande-Rivière-Nord-Ouest (GRNO) river over the centuries, catering to the needs of transportation in the region. Among these, an old iron bridge that dates back to April 21, 1924, has recently celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Initially serving road traffic for 61 years, the bridge ceased to accommodate vehicles after the opening of a new bridge in 1985. Today, it is restricted to pedestrian access only.

This 1924 bridge was built to connect the towns of Grande-Rivière-Nord-Ouest and Port-Louis, successfully withstanding the test of time for six decades.

Its steel structure remained functional until the newer and parallel bridge was inaugurated in 1985.

Interestingly, this iron bridge is not the first to span the river at this location. Prior to its construction, the British government erected a suspended platform connecting GRNO to the capital.

The groundwork for this initial bridge commenced on January 9, 1837, with construction culminating in September 1846.

The original structure was a suspension bridge characterized by arched walkways crafted from basalt stone. Its construction was initiated under the governorship of Sir William Nicolay, who oversaw the project after the colonial British government decided on its construction.

The project was entrusted to Lieutenant Colonel Lloyd, who served as both the inspector general and engineer for the government.

Remarkably, the entire construction budget amounted to 33,000 pounds sterling, an enormous sum for that era.

The first bridge featured a deck positioned a little over nine meters above the river, with a length of 51.9 meters and a total span of 172.51 meters.

However, with the advent of increased traffic and modern transportation methods in the early 20th century, it became apparent that the suspension bridge was inadequate; it could not accommodate two vehicles passing each other.

As a solution, plans were made to replace the masonry deck with a wider steel structure, resulting in the iron bridge of 1924.

This new bridge marked a significant advancement over its predecessor since it could facilitate the simultaneous passage of two buses or trucks, unlike the earlier suspension design, which required one vehicle to yield to another.

Despite its advancements, the 1924 bridge was not built to accommodate the increased size and weight of today’s heavy vehicles.

Currently, it is closed to road traffic and can only support a maximum load of 10 tons.

The bridge has been a notable landmark in local history, serving as the site of significant events, including the arrest of the notorious criminal Nanard on April 26, 1927.

In the 1970s, this location was also historically significant during a student strike, when thousands of students were detained and reportedly beaten by police.

The Grande-Rivière-Nord-Ouest has played a vital role in the development of Port-Louis since the French colonial period.

The area was home to a wheat mill and a gunpowder mill, alongside several fortifications constructed to protect the bay, some of which are still visible today, such as the Donjon St-Louis located near the Roussel bridge.

The first hospital in the area was built in 1769, further underscoring the historical importance of this region.

In recent years, a recreational area has been developed along the banks of the GRNO, enhancing its appeal as a community space.

Source: Le Mauricien