Revolution: From Ferries to Bridges

Since Laval is an island, establishing ties with neighbouring shores was important for its development. Until the 19th century, these ties were first established with ice bridges in winter and with various watercraft during the rest of the year, even though the island’s inhabitants had been demanding that a bridge be built since the 18th century. At the time, makeshift ferries and barges were used.

Vintage black and white photograph. Three people travelling by winter calèche on a snow-covered frozen river.

Winter outing on Des Prairies River, circa 1901

Construction on the first road bridge connecting Île Jésus and the North Shore did not begin until 1832. By the middle of the 19th century, Laval was connected by bridge to the Island of Montreal. Thanks to these new transportation routes, Laval’s labour and goods could be exported far more easily to Terrebonne, Lachenaie and the major industrial centre of Montreal.

Sepia vintage photograph. It shows two cars on two reaction ferries that travelled between the eastern end of Île Jésus and the village of Sault-au-Récollet on the Island of Montreal. In the lower right-hand corner, the following handwritten words appear: “La traverse Saint-Vincent-de-Paul” [Saint-Vincent-de-Paul ferry].

Ferry to Sigouin, Saint-Vincent-de-Paul, circa 1930

The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway across the island in 1876 also helped to diversify the market and business. Greater quantities of the island’s raw materials, as well as perishable goods such as crops and dairy products, not to mention people, could now be transported farther and more quickly. Apparently, the island’s resources were even exported as far away as the Canadian Prairies!

Black and white photograph of an old arch bridge connecting Sainte-Rose to Bélair. At the bottom of the photograph are the handwritten inscriptions “Pont Plessis-Bélair” [Plessis Bélair Bridge] on the left and “St-Rose” on the right.

Plessis Bélair Bridge, Sainte-Rose, 1943.

By the middle of the 20th century, all of Laval was inhabited, and the road network was developed by local companies, such as Desjardins and Sauriol, which took advantage of technological advances to contribute to the community’s expansion and prosperity.

Sepia vintage photograph. A woman dressed in white is sitting on the banks of a river. The Viau Bridge can be seen in the distance.

Viau Bridge, circa 1905

Tradespeople: Craftsmen and Merchants Recreational and Tourism Industries