Terrasse Dufferin

The Terrasse Dufferin was originally constructed in 1879 at the initiative of Lord Dufferin, and was expanded in the 1920s and 1950s. The terrace which is situated atop the bluffs overlooking the Saint Lawrence River is one of the most recognizable landmarks of Canada. Thousands of people walk along the terrace every day to enjoy the amazing view of the old port of Quebec.

Parks Canada, who owns and maintains the terrace, was repainting the structure every 5-10 years which was disruptive to the pedestrian traffic and costly. So in 1980, when a small section of the terrace needed to be replaced, they opted to try hot-dip galvanized steel. When in 2010 the terrace needed to be replaced, Parks Canada noticed the galvanized section of the terrace was still in excellent condition even after 30 years in service.

Based on the success of hot-dip galvanized steel in the old structure, Parks Canada opted to utilize hot-dip galvanizing for the support structure and beams of the terrace. They coupled the galvanized steel with a wooden structure to help maintain the authentic period look of the area. The result is a beautiful, functional, and durable terrace which will provide thousands of tourists the opportunity to see the stunning panorama of the great river, southern shore and the pastoral island of Orleans well into the future.