Interstate Bridge

Photos and Text by John D. D'Auria

The sign that introduces you to the Interstate Bridge that is now the Public Fishing Pier.

In 1897 a toll bridge known as the Interstate Bridge was stretched across the water of Lake Superior from Rice's Point in Duluth MN to Conner's Point in Superior, WI., with a cost of 21 million dollars. Up until this point the only way to get from these two Points was by ferry. This bridge that was designed by A.P. Boller  would span 1,094 feet and weigh 3, 230 tons. It would open April 23rd, 1897 to pedestrians, horse-drawn vehicles and had access for two trains and a streetcar. The toll was set at five cents for pedestrians and bicycles, fifteen for wagons, and a dime for each head of cattle. In 1906 the steamship Troy, captained by Robert Murray hit the bridge, due to the bridge not being opened on time by the operator due to the fact that he had fallen asleep. This catnap would cost a large amount of structural damage to the bridge but minor damage to the Troy. 33 ships were reported to be trapped in the upper harbor after this and it would cost them $1,000 per day per vessel and the clean up would take several weeks. It took nearly two years to fully restore the bridge. Over time the bridge would be refitted for automobiles, the streetcar line would be removed and there would only be one railway in use.

The Interstate Bridge 2012

In 1961 the Duluth-Superior High Bridge was built to replace the Interstate Bridge so longer ore carriers could move through the harbor easier. The Interstate Bridge was dismantled in 1971. In 1981 the Burlington Northern sold the bridge to the Port Authority of Duluth for $1. In 1983, Rep. Willard Munger suggested turning the bridge into a fishing pier, which got the City of Duluth, the Legislators and the DNR to put a combined 211,000 dollars toward this project. The plan was to construct a two-tier recreational platform-the lower for fishermen and the upper part for harbor watchers and picnickers but to date only the lower part has been completed for the fishermen.

The Interstate Bridge (Public Fishing Pier) and the bridge that replaced it The High Bridge (Later named The Blatnik Bridge).