The Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth began as an aerial transfer bridge. Built in 1905, it has a huge gondola that carries more than 60 tons of traffic, from pedestrians and horse-drawn wagons to automobiles. The bridge allows residents of Minnesota Point to reach the mainland. The bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Visit Aerial Lift Bridge to see one of only two vertical-lift bridges in the world. Built in 1905, the bridge was upgraded between 1929 and 1930 to lift vertically. The entire bridge rises, just like an elevator, to allow boats to pass underneath. The United States Army Corps of Engineers manages a maritime museum that will help you understand the complex mechanism. Check the shipping schedule in advance so you're sure to see the bridge in action. Make your Duluth itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.

This is a landmark bridge in the port city of Duluth in the US. You will be thrilled to watch the beauty of the surrounding places from the top of the 69-meter bridge. You must take a walk there at the top while enjoying a brilliant cup of coffee. If you are lucky enough you will be able to watch the ships lifting up for passing a ship. You can even enjoy the beauty of this iconic place from various eateries here. You cannot miss the important view of the lighthouse from the top of the bridge. More about Duluth Try the best Duluth trip planner to visit this Aerial Lift Bridge as well as many others. You can enjoy a comfortable stay in the city by booking the best hotels in Duluth like Radisson Hotel Duluth-harborview, South Pier Inn and Holiday Inn & Suites Duluth-downtown. Find out how to reach Duluth to begin with. Plenty of wholesome Duluth vacation packages are available to choose from, pick your today!

The Aerial Lift Bridge is a major landmark in the port city of Duluth, Minnesota. The span is a vertical lift bridge, which is rather uncommon, but it began life as an extremely rare transporter bridge—the first of just two such bridges ever constructed in the United States. Originally built in 1905, the bridge was upgraded in 1929–30 to the current lifting design and continues to operate today. The bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 22, 1973. A maritime museum maintained by the United States Army Corps of Engineers exists near the site of the bridge. The bridge spans the Duluth Ship Canal, which was put through the thin but long sand spit named Minnesota Point in 1870–71. The natural mouth of the St. Louis River is about seven miles farther southeast, and is split between Minnesota and Wisconsin. Creating this gap in the tiny peninsula meant that residents who lived on the new island needed to have a way to get across. Several different transportation methods were tried, though they were complicated by the weather. Ferries could work in the summer, but ice caused problems in colder months. A swinging footbridge was used, but was considered rather rickety and unsafe.