Transportation

Freed from icy grip, Duluth's Aerial Lift Bridge back on the upswing

A large lift bridge built across a canal
The Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth was temporarily stuck in the down position on Tuesday.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

It’s hard to keep Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge down.

Blizzard conditions had rocked the city over the weekend, leaving the iconic bridge so heavily iced it could not be raised, halting lift operations that let ships pass into safe harbor.

On Thursday, city officials said deicing efforts paid off and the bridge and shipping canal were operational again.

The Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019.
The Aerial Lift Bridge in Duluth on Tuesday.
Andrew Krueger | MPR News

While the port has another access to Lake Superior on the east end of Park Point, it’s longer and requires navigation through the harbor canal along the Superior lakefront.