Sault Ste. Marie International Railroad Bridge

The Sault Ste. Marie International Railroad Bridge is a railway crossing that spans the St. Marys River between Michigan and Ontario. Its structure includes nine Camelback arches and carries a single track of freight rail over the water.

Built in 1887 by the Dominion Bridge Company, this structure was created to establish the first direct railway connection across the border between the two nations. The project aimed to improve trade and movement of goods between the United States and Canada.

The bridge represents the longstanding transportation partnership between Michigan and Ontario through its continuous operation as a railway connection point.

The bridge is not open for pedestrian access, as it operates solely for freight train traffic. The best views come from nearby walkways and overlook areas along both shores of the river.

Rather than using a single design, this crossing employs four different structural types along its length. The combination of Camelback arches, a plate girder section, a double leaf bascule bridge, and a vertical lift bridge reflects the engineering challenges of spanning both the river and the international border.

Part of: Canada–United States border

GPS coordinates: 46.50742,-84.36206

Latest update: December 14, 2025 09:47