The bridge that connects the North and South

Twillingate, a growing town, recognized the need for a bridge connecting its North and South Islands in 1844. Magistrate Peyton petitioned the colonial Governor for this, citing the inconvenience faced by residents due to the lack of a bridge across the Tickle. The Newfoundland Legislature agreed to allocate €250, provided a matching sum was raised locally. Magistrate Peyton, John Slade, Abraham A. Pearce, and Samuel Prowse became commissioners to oversee the project, with Engineer William Thomas Wells leading construction. Wells arrived from Nova Scotia, supported by funds from the Slade merchant house. Despite an initially successful start, Wells faced accusations of negligence and misconduct, leading to his firing and the resignation of Pearce and Prowse from the commission.

Despite these challenges, the bridge was completed, and the commission remained active. In 1853, new appointees, including Peyton, took charge. Shoal Tickle Bridge underwent several repairs, with notable work done in 1907 and 1927, as documented by local mariner John Froude. Construction on the bridge even impacted a telephone line, resulting in the local telephone company billing the Highroads Commission for its repair.

While these 19th-century roads linked Twillingate's settlements, they remained isolated from the world until 1885, when the town was connected to the New York, Newfoundland, and London telegraph system, reducing its isolation.

The bridge formed part of Twillingate's road network, a rarity among smaller outports in the 1800s. The town's carriage roads were considered excellent, made of durable materials like gravel and limestone, suitable for cycling. By 1906, the Twillingate islands boasted around sixty-four kilometers of roads.

However, Twillingate's roads had their issues. A reader in 1911 complained that Tickle Bridge was too narrow for carriages, damaging wheels and risking their loss. Despite calls for widening, this was not done.