The Sappers' Bridge memorial was erected by the Canadian Military Engineer Centennial 1903-2003 Committee and the National Capital Commission. The memorial bridge foundations and the plaques were unveiled on April 29, 2004 and are dedicated in honour of a century of contributing service by Canadian Military engineers.
Sappers' Bridge was built in 1827 to link the military barracks and hospital located on the present-day Parliament Hill to the engineering buildings in Lower Bytown. Sappers' Bridge was a great stone arch, with its eastern end connected to Rideau Street, while its western extremity joined a wagon trail winding towards Wellington Street. Sometimes after 1849, the wagon trail developed into Sparks Street with Sappers' Bridges linking Sparks Street and Rideau Street.
In 1872, Dufferin Bridge was built next to Sappers' Bridge, and connected Wellington Street directly to Rideau Street. These two bridges continued to serve Ottawa until 1912 when they were both demolished and replaced with what has become officially known as Plaza Bridge. It is said that Sappers' Bridge was so well built that initial attempts at blasting failed to damage the bridge and it had to be brought down by repeatedly dropping a large weight onto the bridgeworks.
With the construction of Plaza Bridge came the re-development of the Sappers'/Dufferin Bridge area. Parts were filled in, the old Post Office demolished and replaced, slightly more to the west, by the present-day Main Post Office, roads were realigned and the National War Memorial built on the old Post Office site, to create Confederation Square.
Sappers Staircase is also located here.
