Cummings Bridge

{{Infobox bridge

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| image = RideauRV.JPG

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| coordinates = {{Coord|45.433199|-75.6712|region:CA-ON_type:landmark|display=title,inline}}

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| carries = 4-lane road, sidewalks, bicycle lane

| crosses = Rideau River

| locale = Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

| named_for = Charles Cummings

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| material = reinforced concrete

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| length = {{convert|213|m|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|18.21|m|abbr=on}}

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| begin = 1921

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| rebuilt = 1996

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The Cummings Bridge in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, crosses the Rideau River, connecting Rideau Street to Montreal Road in Vanier. It is a multi-span open spandrel arch bridge, constructed in 1921 and renovated in 1996.{{cite web |title=Restoring the Cummings Bridge |url=https://www.canadianconsultingengineer.com/features/restoring-the-cummings-bridge/ |website=www.canadianconsultingengineer.com |publisher=Canadian Consulting Engineer |accessdate=18 January 2018 |date=January 1, 2001}}

History

The area east of the Cummings Bridge, later named Vanier was first linked to the Sandy Hill area of Ottawa with a wooden bridge erected in 1835, which went over Cummings Island in the Rideau River. The Cummings family settled the island, had a store there, and the island and bridge there became associated with the Cummings name.{{sfn|Haig|1975|pp=160}} In 1891, the old wooden bridge was replaced by a steel bridge, which the city wanted to name Bingham's Bridge, after Ottawa mayor Samuel Bingham, but this name never caught on.{{cite news |url=https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/cummings-island-a-former-commercial-hub-now-sits-empty |title=Cummings Island: A former commercial hub now sits empty |last=Deachman |first=Bruce |date=September 20, 2015 |work=Ottawa Citizen |accessdate=January 17, 2018}}

File:Cummings Bridge Ottawa 1896.jpg

The current bridge was constructed in 1921, some {{Convert|12|m}} downstream from the steel bridge, bypassing Cummings Island.

Charles Cummings had a son, Robert Cummings who became Reeve of Gloucester Township and Warden of Carleton County, Ontario. {{sfn|Haig|1975|pp=77}}