Building the Bridge to PEI

Edward L. Edmonds is a professor of education at the University of
Prince Edward Island and honorary chief of the Mi’kmaq of Prince
Edward Island.

This slim volume chronicles the fulfilment of a promise made to Prince
Edward Island by the federal government in 1876, to keep open “a
continuous means of communication.” Hence, the longest bridge in the
world (12.9 kilometres) over ice-covered seas between Prince Edward
Island and New Brunswick was completed in May 1997.

Thurston writes in simple, concise prose. He rightly omits reference to
the earlier controversy regarding the desirability of building a bridge.
His brief, succinct conclusions are even-handed. No less commendable are
accompanying color photographs by Wayne Barrett and Anne MacKay,
portraying the bridge as a thing of beauty, and Kate Westphal’s
eye-catching cover design.

Building the Bridge to P.E.I., which combines history, architecture,
and engineering in the making, should find a place in every public
library.