Aerial Lift Bridge

Ok, this is embarrassing, I don't even wash my walls (my friend Kathy does!) and the City of Duluth makes me look bad by washing the BRIDGE!  Getting it all shined up for tourist season (dang seagulls!).  But, that means some single lane traffic you should know about.

At around noon on Monday (April 13), the Twin Ports welcomed the first ocean-going ship into the harbor for the 2015 shipping season.

To say it was windy today would be an understatement.  35mph winds were forecast, but one area actually clocked 70mph!  A reliable source told me that one of the ships that arrived around 2pm today, the Philip R. Clarke was having trouble docking due to the winds.

I'm sure people who don't read this blog will wonder if the city of Duluth neglected to pay their light bill when the Aerial Lift Bridge's lights go dark on Saturday.  Truth of the matter is there's a very good reason for it and the community will be joining millions around the world!

When we were running in the beautiful Northland weather this past week I saw the orange snow fence by the Aerial Lift Bridge and didn't even think twice.  By the end of the week there was something new on the bridge that caught my eye.  New electronic signs indicating to foot traffic when it was safe to cross!

The City of Duluth is looking to hire a Bridge Operator, what an opportunity for someone with the right qualifications! If you've been holding out for a dream job in the Northland, this is it!  They have extended the application deadline to Friday, February 6, 2015 to make sure all who are interested have the time to apply.

The City of Duluth is looking to hire a Bridge Operator, what an opportunity for someone with the right qualifications!  If you've been holding out for a dream job in the Northland, this is it!  But hurry, they are only accepting applications for a couple more days!

I learned this fascinating piece of history from my daughter Kylee one day as we were strolling along the Lake Walk.  She worked on the Vista and heard the speech on the history of the bridge almost daily.  I didn't believe her until we walked over and she showed me the span within a span.  Dave Campbell, the Aerial Lift Bridge Supervisor gives us the skinny on how it came to be.

OH, YES I DID!  After I looked around the pilot house on the Aerial Lift Bridge and didn't see any "facilities", I asked the inevitable human interest question.  "Where do you guys go to the bathroom".  The answer will surprise you!

Ken and I found that there was much more than statistics to learn about our Aerial Lift Bridge.  After we got answers to what the Lift Bridge Operators have to do when there are people on the bridge and it needs to go up, Ken asked the question, "Can anyone ever ride on the Aerial Lift Bridge?"

As our Aerial Lift Bridge Series continues, so do questions that cross everyone's mind.  Ken and I got on the topic of weather when we were in the pilot house and I remembered an instance when I saw the bridge get hit by lightning.  We asked, "what happens then?"

  A mishap on the Aerial Lift Bridge prompted me to write a blog asking what proper pedestrian bridge etiquette was.  After much discussion, the City of Duluth answered with an invite to the Aerial Lift Bridge's Operator house and I get to bring you with me.  This is the first video in a series of interesting facts, answers to your burning questions and some surprises about our iconic landmark. Re