Cisco Bridges

CNR Cisco Bridge
CPR bridge (black) in foreground, CNR bridge (orange arch) in background (with CPR train on it). Photo facing upriver.
Coordinates50°09′05″N 121°34′52″W / 50.151505°N 121.581114°W / 50.151505; -121.581114
CarriesCanadian National Railway
CrossesFraser River
LocaleSiska, BC
Characteristics
Designtruss arch bridge
Total length247 m
Height67 m
Location
CPR Cisco Bridge
Coordinates50°08′55″N 121°34′42″W / 50.148535°N 121.5784°W / 50.148535; -121.5784
CarriesCanadian Pacific Railway
CrossesFraser River
LocaleSiska, BC
Characteristics
Designtruss bridge
Total length160 m
Location

The Cisco Bridges are a pair of railroad bridges at Siska (historically known as Cisco) near Lytton, British Columbia, Canada. The Canadian Pacific Railway and Canadian National Railway both follow the route of the Fraser River, one on each side, and the routes exchange sides at this point. The easier CPR route was laid first; when the CNR arrived later they needed to follow the more difficult route. The area is popular with railfans due to the proximity of the two bridges (which allows both bridges to be taken in one photograph, sometimes with a train on each bridge simultaneously), and the easy access to the area (the Trans-Canada Highway, BC Hwy 1) is parallel to both bridges down the east bank of the river. Directional running in the Fraser Canyon means that both CPR and CNR trains may be seen on both bridges. Although this area is generally known as Cisco, the actual CN timetable station point of Cisco is approximately 4.0 km (2.5 mi) to the east of the bridges.