Maynard, c. 187?
The Alexandra Suspension Bridge
BCA Catalogue No. A-03926
BCA Photo No. 10292
Photo: B.C. Archives

The Alexandra Suspension Bridge was one of the marvels along the old Cariboo Road about 13 miles above Yale. The original contractor for the bridge had been Joseph Trutch. The Inland Sentinel's editor, Michael Hagan, visited the site, and reported (July 15, 1880):

We have heard this Bridge spoken of as a creditable piece of work, reflecting honor upon the enterprise of Mr. Trutch and the contractors, Messrs Hallidy & Co., of Frisco. At the time of building the road in '62 and '63, Mr. Trutch, who had been identified as an Engineer with the road-building got a charter to build the Bridge. The custom had been to Ferry over the river a short distance below the bridge location, near to 'Spuz.' It took 4 months to construct the bridge, and it was opened late in Sept. '63. The two cables are 4 inch diameter, each, while they stretch to secure anchorage a considerable distance the Bridge span proper is about 300 ft. The cost is said to have been nearly $40,000. Mr. Pleace, now in charge of the Powder Magazine (another responsible position) had charge of the bridge for 7 years, at the end of which time the conditions of the charter passed over the bridge property to the Government when the toll was abolished: the rates had been 25 cts for single horse, 50 cts for horse and buggy, $1 for double team and so on; one third of a cent per lb. was collected upon freight.