There have been some historic stories surround the bridge in recent years. Operation is done manually from a control room on the bridge itself. It takes about a minute for the bridge to lift and a minute to lower.
AERIAL LIFT BRIDGE FULL
When a ship needs to pass through the canal it is raised up to a full height of 135 feet, and traffic is stopped on either side.
AERIAL LIFT BRIDGE FREE
The Aerial Lift Bridge now allows free movement via automobile between Canal Park and Park Point when the bridge is lowered. This is the very bridge you will see when you visit Duluth today. Construction of modern-day Aerial Lift Bridge began in 1929. This design closely resembles Waddell’s original design. You may recall, he was the original contest winner back in 1892. The company that would design the concept for the Aerial Lift Bridge, as we now know it, was owned by a descendant of John Low Waddell. One that could transport a larger number of people in a shorter amount of time. The bridge worked and met the needs of the people on Park Point until the increased number of automobiles and tourists to the area created the need for a more vehicle-friendly option. It would cross the canal every five minutes. It took about 1 minute to cross the canal. The gondola could hold up to 350 people, as well as wagons and automobiles. With this design, a raised gondola moved between along the bridge. Instead, inspired by a similar bridge in France, the ferry bridge was built in 1905 by architect Thomas McGillivray. Unfortunately, the War Department did not approve of the project and it was scrapped by the city. John Low Waddell won the contest with his design for a high-rise vertical lift bridge. So, the City of Duluth held a contest in 1892 to design a bridge that would connect the residents of Park Point. However, the residents of Park Point felt it was too rickety and unsafe. Then, a swinging footbridge was which allowed pedestrian crossing year-round. However, when ice covered the canal during the winter months, the ferry became useless. The creation of the canal made Park Point an island and cut residents off from the rest of Duluth.ĭuring the summer months, a ferry provided residents with the connection they needed to get on and off the island. It is separated from the city by the Duluth Ship Canal, which is an artificial canal that was dug in 1871. Park Point, also known as Minnesota Point, is a neighborhood of Duluth. The bridge connects the Canal Park and Park Point for car travel. The Aerial Lift Bridge spans the Duluth Ship Canal which leads iron ore ships into the Twin Ports from Lake Superior. Later, it was converted from a ferry bridge to the present-day bridge in 1929. Then, the Aerial Bridge, just a ferry bridge at this point, was constructed in the harbor. Duluth became the proud home to the United States’ first transporter bridge in 1905.
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