[1] The Canadian government built the bridge as a work relief project during the Great Depression.

[1][2] Before 1934, the residents of Selkirk, and the nearby rural municipality of St. Clements wished to have a bridge connecting the two towns, instead of relying on a busy ferry service to traverse the Red River.

[2][3] However, in 1934, the Canadian government allotted $40 million to a national infrastructure program to uplift workers unemployed due to the Great Depression.

[1] Arthur J. Taunton, an assistant engineer for the Federal Department of Public Works of Winnipeg placed the location of the bridge in Eaton Avenue, in Selkirk.

[1][2] A local man named Ed Maloney lowered the bridge, and opened it to traffic.