Location: Sault Ste. Marie. MI - International Rail Bridge and Towers

The International railroad bridge  between Sault Ste. Marie Michigan and Ontario are actually a series of bridges across the American locks, the Sault St. Marie River, and the Canadian lock.

In the photo on the left, the smaller interlocking tower controls the first double-bascule (jack knife) bridges over the MacArthur and Poe locks. The larger tower controls the life bridge over the north canal and the Saban lock.

Image info: Top, a Canadian Pacific train crosses the first draw over the International crossing. This draw was replaced with a life bridge at a later date. [Robert Platt photo, UWM library]. 2nd photo a view of both towers in 1995. [Charles Geletzke Jr.]

Notes

Time Line

1925. The steamer W.J. Crosby owned by the North Shore Transit company of Port Huron, severed rail connections between Canada and Michigan at Sault Ste. Marie Sunday when it bumped into the spring bridge over the Elvin canal and put it out of commission, itself being damaged. Captain Thomas Conklin of the Crosby told officials that the usual warning lights on the bridge were not burning and that mist and snow prevented his seeing the structure in time to avoid collision with it. A federal investigation has been started. [PHTH-1925-1019]

1956. Legislation reapportioning costs of altering the international railroad bridge at Sault Ste. Marie was approved today in Washington by the Senate Public Works Committee. The alternation changes legislation passed in 1945, setting the federal share of the protect at 84% and the bridge owner, the Soo Line railroad, at 16% or $107,300. However construction costs have risen since 1945 and the project now will cost $2.6 million. The 16% railroad share under the new estimate would be $419,200 rather than $262,000 under the old formula. The bill directs that the older formula be applied. The bridge is being altered to provide greater clearance for ships. [IDG-1956-0307]