The original bridge was named after the Gendron family who owned the nearby sawmill.
The 1998 reconstruction project utilized over 300,000 board feet of timber.
It is one of the few covered bridges in Quebec built specifically for pedestrian use rather than vehicular traffic.
The structure features the characteristic red paint typical of 20th-century Quebec covered bridges, intended to protect the wood from harsh winters.
The interior is constructed using heavy timber joinery, avoiding the use of modern steel bolts where possible to maintain historical aesthetics.
The Wakefield Covered Bridge is a reconstruction of the original 1915 Gendron Bridge that spanned the La Pêche River. The original structure was destroyed by arson in 1984. The current bridge, completed in 1998, replicates the traditional Town lattice truss design using modern engineering standards. It serves primarily as a pedestrian crossing linking the village of Wakefield to the local community center. The bridge spans 37 meters across the river. It is officially recognized as a cultural heritage property by the Quebec government. The surrounding park area provides river access and views of the local waterfall.
The riverbank on the north side provides the best angle to capture the bridge with the waterfall in the background.
Bring a picnic to enjoy in the park space surrounding the bridge base.
Walk across the bridge to access the trails leading toward the nearby MacLaren Cemetery.
Visit during the fall season to see the foliage framed by the bridge's timber trusses.
Do not attempt to drive a vehicle across the bridge as it is strictly for pedestrians.
