The last time I was beneath Plaza Bridge was back during Nuit Blanche. Some weeks back I took shots again during the daytime. The bridge has been here for many years, but work was done in the 90s to open this space below up, including the installation of the staircase here from the street above.
It's a fine use of space along this stretch of the Rideau Canal, between the Ottawa Locks and the National Arts Centre. The acoustics are excellent, and the pathway makes for an interesting place for a stroll. This area is often used by photographers for wedding parties.
The stones you see along the path are still the foundations of the original Sapper's Bridge that crossed the Canal here; it gives you an idea of how much the road above has been elevated from the 19th century.
On the north side of the walkway, we come out to the Ottawa Locks, and the lockmaster station. I've long since lost track of the amount of times I've passed through here and down along the locks.
I like the night shots but the opening is fab and you can see it much better in daylight!
ReplyDeleteHow neat to have a finished walkway beneath a bridge. I do like the interesting opening.
ReplyDeleteMB
it's really nice, i love those cut-outs in the ceiling!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I wish we had something this creative here in Missouri. We just have a murky, dirty river and rather plain-looking bridges....
ReplyDeleteOh that's so lovely. What a great spot for portraits.
ReplyDeleteI can see why this would be a good place to take wedding photos and other portraits.
ReplyDeleteI love the sinuous lines of this bridge.
ReplyDeleteLovely and not as dark as under our bridges
ReplyDelete@Ciel: day and night are quite a contrast below here.
ReplyDelete@Small City Scenes: opening it up really enhanced the space.
@Tanya: thank you!
@Norma: we've got some plain bridges too, particularly overpasses... but strangely, most river or canal bridges offer at least something interesting.
@Krisztina: it really does serve that purpose!
@Sharon: I've even seen film crews down there working on movies.
@Stuart: One of these days I'll have to photograph the Corktown Bridge, upstream from here...
@Mo: that open staircase really makes all the difference.
I've always loved river walkways and this one looks especially nice. Your photography is amazing.
ReplyDeleteLove that biomorphic roof line.
ReplyDelete"Under the bridge" usually means not a nice place but in this case it's the opposite. Very cool shots!
ReplyDeleteI love this place! It's beautiful. Thanks for showing it, William.
ReplyDeleteOh it's gorgeous, I love how you've captured it here - the decision to 'open up' the space was the right one!
ReplyDeleteA beautiful way to stroll.
ReplyDeleteIt has a very surreal look.
ReplyDelete@Eve: thank you.
ReplyDelete@Oakland: it looks good!
@JM: it certainly is an exception to the under the bridge notion.
@RedPat: you're welcome!
@LondonLulu: it certainly was.
@Mari: it is that!
@Hamilton: I wonder if the brightness of the sun has something to do with that.
What a beautiful place. I can see why wedding photos are taken here.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing when our open spaces are open up so people get to use them.
Wonderful photos.
cheers, parsnip
It's fabulous William, and beautifully shown here.
ReplyDelete@Parsnip: thank you!
ReplyDelete@Grace: it's such a good use of space.