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 MarCarther and Poe locks. The larger tower controls the life bridge over the north canal and the Saban lock.

Photo image/credit: A photo of both towers in 1995. [Charles Geletzke Jr.]

Notes

Time Line

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]