The railway bridge that crosses the Oldman River in Lethbridge is the longest of its type, at 1.6 kilometres (1 mile) from end to end and has functioned successfully for over 100 years. This bridge is important because it is a symbol of Canadian success. At the time the bridge was built, the Canadian economy was growing faster than that of the United States, and the high level bridge was an example of the growing economic confidence that Canadians were feeling. The bridge today is a unique symbol of Lethbridge and a reminder of the city’s past.