Bridging the Strait: The Story of the Confederation Bridge Project

June 1997 marked the opening of the Confederation Bridge which spans the Northumberland Strait and connects Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick.

The bridge, designed and built by the international consortium Strait Crossing, is one of the most innovative engineering projects undertaken in Canada. It is the longest bridge ever constructed over ice covered water and one of the longest continuous multi-span bridges in the world.

Bridging the Strait describes the arduous trips taken by ice boats, ferries, steamers and ice breakers which have been the link to PEI. The author, Copthorne Macdonald, traces the events leading up to the building of the bridge. He explains the problems faced by the Strait Crossing team, and tells the story of how they overcame challenging obstacles such as ice, wind and treacherous ocean currents.

The stunning achievement of the Confederation Bridge is celebrated in this handsome book. It highlights the contribution of Strait Crossing, and Public Works Canada, who steered the project from conception to completion, and it provides a fitting tribute to the engineers and designers who solved the technical problems and the workers who sacrificed to bring the project to fruition.

Copthorne Macdonald is a writer, independent scholar and communcations engineer. Cop, as he is called by his friends, has followed the story of the Confederation Bridge from the time it was discussed as a public/private venture in the mid 1980s to its completion.

After receiving his B.S. degree in Electrical Engineering, Cop developed the slow-scan TV system that is still used around the world by ham radio operators. He managed the Electronic Design Department of one corporation and was the Director of Research for another.

Cop's publishing record includes 125 articles, papers and column installments. He is the author of four books including: Toward Wisdom: Finding Our Way to Inner Peace, Love and Happiness, and Getting a Life: Strategies for Joyful and Effective Living. His work has been featured on the CBC Radio series IDEAS.

Copthorne Macdonald has made Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island his home since 1975.

Copthorne Macdonald is a writer, scholar and communications engineer. He has followed the story of the Confederation Bridge from the time it was discussed in the mid-1980s to its completion. He has published 125 articles. His work has been featured on the CBC Radio series IDEAS. He has lived in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island since 1975.