Aerial Lift Bridge
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The Aerial Lift Bridge, earlier known as the Aerial Bridge or Aerial Ferry Bridge, is a landmark in the port city of Duluth, Minnesota. The span began life in 1905 as the United States' first transporter bridge: Only one other was ever constructed in the country, Sky Ride in Chicago.
attractions: Great Lakes Aquarium, Bayfront Festival Park, Duluth Entertainment Convention Center, Pier B Resort Hotel, Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth-Downtown, an IHG Hotel, Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, The Inn on Lake Superior, North Shore Scenic Railroad, Vista Fleet, Lift Bridge Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection, restaurants: Grandma's Saloon & Grill, Canal Park Brewing Company, Pizza Lucé Duluth, Little Angie's Cantina and Grill, Northern Waters Smokehaus, Vitta Pizza Canal Park, Bellisio's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar, Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar, Silos Restaurant at Pier B, 310 Pub
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The Aerial Lift Bridge, earlier known as the Aerial Bridge or Aerial Ferry Bridge, is a landmark in the port city of Duluth, Minnesota. The span began life in 1905 as the United States' first transporter bridge: Only one other was ever constructed in the country, Sky Ride in Chicago.
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What a Fantastic Bridge… The Duluth Bridge is operated 24 hours a day, with skilled people at the helm. The bridge is raised and lowered for iron ore and cement ships, sailboats, and excursion tour boats. In the busy seasons of spring and summer, the bridge averages 26 lifts a day. Decades ago, pedestrians were able to ride on the bridge when it was raised. But, this was outlawed in the early 1980s after a horrible accident that claimed the life of a woman when she was crushed by the steel bridge. The bridge operation is primarily through electric power derived from storage batteries that are charged by generators. If power lines fail, the generators can be operated by a diesel engine. There are two 450 ton concrete block weights on each end, lifted by electronic pulleys to raise and lower the bridge. It is an incredible feat, and a very good reason in itself to come to Duluth to watch the whole operating process.
Sujith MohanSujith Mohan
90
The bridge is a piece of art. The giant looking over the harbor. Crowds pour in to watch watercraft pass beneath the frames of steel and watch the lowering and raising of the bridge. Crowds wave to salties and lakers as they enter the harbor canal, and the sailors greet harbor master and crowds with deafening blasts of the horn. I like going across the bridge as the floor is made of steel gridding to drain off snow and rain and you get this unique sound. The only dislike is also a feature...the bridge separates Canal Park from Park Point. The negative? The bridge is the only way in or out, by land..if the bridge is up you may wait what seems like forever. On the north side of the bridge is a very bustling tourist area... pedestrians everwhere in the summer.
alice schadewaldalice schadewald
00
If you are in duluth or even passing by, there is always something so fascinating about stopping by to see the ships come through the lift bridge. If you have a few minutes to spare, definitely make the stop for you or your kids (you'll enjoy it too 🤓). You can look online at the ship times for when they will leave or enter so make sure to check that to make sure before you get there. There is also a little shop/info center next to it with a bunch of cool information on lake superior and its history with the ships and what not. If you are crossing the bridge, just check the ship times to make sure you don't get stuck on the other side if you need to be somewhere in a hurry! There is plenty of parking in a lot next to the bridge also.
KaylaKayla
00
The main harbor entrance to Duluth Harbor. All types of water traffic here, from big ocean going freighters to pleasure craft, and anything else tall enough to need the bridge raised. Shipping season usually opens in late March. People line the North and South Piers to watch the action. When the bridge is in the down position, it has a sidewalk on which one can across to the other side. it's a bit windy but wide enough to safely cross. Great for views of the harbor and of the bridge structure. There is no charge to do this. Parking is in the Canal Park lot, and restrooms are in the US Corp of Engineering building.
Celeste RuppeltCeleste Ruppelt
10
I'm always interested in covered bridges and light houses while traveling. A local search showed the two lighthouses at this same location and made mention of the bridge... I would never have known it existed if it had not been for my search of nearby lighthouses! I'm very excited that we found it and even more excited that we got to see it in action!! This thing is cool!!! I have watched draw type bridges in the past, but never anything like this. It is a must see if you are in the area, or even if you are passing close by. The lighthouses and nearby park are pretty cool also!
Keith CoffmanKeith Coffman
00
This a spiritual event, Every. Single. Time. From anticipating the arrival of the distant vessel and listening to the Captain's Salute and bridge response - to watching the majestic boat sail off into the sunset, it's all awe inspiring. As the words came over the speaker... "The American Century is loaded with 70,930 tons of coal," my mind was trying to fathom what that pile must look like. The speaker continued, "The American Century is powered by four 3,500 horsepower General Motors 20 cylinder engines." Mind blown here. My prayers go out to those on this mighty ship today!
Rhonda SpellmanRhonda Spellman
10
Nearby Attractions Of Aerial Lift Bridge
Great Lakes Aquarium
Bayfront Festival Park
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
Pier B Resort Hotel
Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth-Downtown, an IHG Hotel
Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center
The Inn on Lake Superior
North Shore Scenic Railroad
Vista Fleet
Lift Bridge Lodge, Ascend Hotel Collection
Great Lakes Aquarium
4.5
(1.9K)Click for details
Bayfront Festival Park
4.7
(1.4K)Click for details
Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
4.4
(1.2K)Click for details
Pier B Resort Hotel
4.4
(1.1K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Aerial Lift Bridge
Grandma's Saloon & Grill
Canal Park Brewing Company
Pizza Lucé Duluth
Little Angie's Cantina and Grill
Northern Waters Smokehaus
Vitta Pizza Canal Park
Bellisio's Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar
Lake Avenue Restaurant & Bar
Silos Restaurant at Pier B
310 Pub
Grandma's Saloon & Grill
4.2
(2.8K)$$
Click for details
Canal Park Brewing Company
4.4
(2K)$$
Click for details
Pizza Lucé Duluth
4.5
(1.4K)$$
Click for details
Little Angie's Cantina and Grill
3.7
(1.5K)$$
Click for details
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Overview
4.8
(1.3K reviews)
Website
dot.state.mn.us
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