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An Old Technology That Lasted

Black and white photograph. A car is parked on the ferry deck. Men on bicycles are waiting their turn. The shoreline of Île Bizard can be seen in the background.

Île Bizard ferry, circa 1940, property of the Bolduc family

With our modern views of transportation, it is hard to imagine that crossing a river could cost money. Until the second half of the 20th century, bridges and ferries were all operated by private businesses. You had to pay to use them, so people welcomed winter, when they could create their own ice roads. They were cheap to build, but could be dangerous! This photograph features one of the island’s ferries. It is the only one still running in Laval-sur-le-Lac and connects Île Jésus and Île Bizard.