Aerial Lift Bridge, Vertical lift bridge in Duluth, United States
Aerial Lift Bridge spans the Duluth Ship Canal, connecting Minnesota Point to the mainland with a vertical steel frame 386 feet (118 meters) long. The bridge deck can be raised by a counterweight system, creating a clearance of 135 feet (41 meters) for cargo ships entering or leaving the harbor.
The structure opened in 1905 as a transfer bridge, with a suspended gondola carrying vehicles and pedestrians across the canal. Between 1929 and 1930 the design was converted by C.A.P. Turner into a lift bridge that raises the entire roadway.
The bridge carries landmark status for Duluth residents and draws daily crowds who stand along the shore waiting for ships to pass. When the deck rises, bells ring and red lights signal the start of the movement, creating a shared moment of pause at the harbor.
The bridge lifts frequently during the shipping season, so drivers and walkers should expect short waits. A viewing area along the shore offers a close look at the movement and works well for families and photographers.
The mechanism uses two counterweights of 270 tons each, suspended in the side towers, to raise the bridge deck in about one minute. Originally this installation was the first transfer bridge of its kind on the American continent and served as a model for similar builds.
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