How does Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge work?

The entire road deck lifts vertically for vessels entering the Duluth Ship Canal — it opens on signal for lake freighters, with seasonal timing rules under 33 CFR 117.

When does the Stillwater Lift Bridge open?

From May 15 through October 15 the historic St. Croix River span runs a scheduled daily lift pattern; it now carries a bike-and-pedestrian loop rather than highway traffic.

Minnesota drawbridge map — Duluth’s icon

Duluth’s Aerial Lift Bridge is one of America’s most-watched drawbridges — the whole span hoists 135 feet for lake freighters entering the Ship Canal. Upriver on the St. Croix, the historic Stillwater Lift Bridge runs a seasonal schedule. Tap any bridge for its rule.

Movable bridge — tap for its opening rules
The Aerial Lift Bridge hoists its whole deck 135 feet for the lakers.

All Minnesota movable bridges

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How it works: opening rules come from the US Coast Guard’s Drawbridge Operation Regulations (33 CFR Part 117). Minnesota publishes no live drawbridge status, so schedules are the tool here. Bridges without a map pin are listed with their rule but haven’t been precisely located yet. Also see Seattle and the other state pages on the Maps hub.

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Minnesota drawbridge map — Duluth’s icon

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