Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority
Virtual brochure and information for the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority, one of many online travel brochures for tourist information in Sault Ste. Marie, MI. Provided by your source for Mackinaw Information and Mackinac Information.
Virtual PDF brochure of the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority
International Bridge Administration
Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority
Website: www.michigan.gov/iba
121 Huron Street
Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 1R3
Phone: 705-942-4345
934 Bridge Plaza
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
Phone: 906-635-5255
Bridging our past…connecting our future...
Bridge History
Traveling from one side of the St. Mary’s River to the other first began in canoes. Bands of Ojibway Indians would camp and fish the rapids they called "Bawating", meaning rushing water.
Through wars, control of the rapids went to the British in the mid 1700’s and eventually resulted in a shared border between the United States and Canada in the 1800’s.
From the 1880’s until the 1960’s, the only commercial transportation across the St. Mary’s River between the two Saults, were the time consuming ferries and the railroad bridge. O October 31, 1962, the International Bridge eliminated these inconveniences and delays.
Today, the Sault St. Marie Bridge Authority members are appointed by the Governor of the State of Michigan and the St. Mary’s River Bridge Company. Its purpose is to over see management and operation of the International Bridge. The International Bridge Administration performs the necessary toll collections, maintenance and capital improvements on a day-to-day basis.
Facts and Figures
Facts -
- International Bridge Colours are green and ivory
- Designed by Steinman, Boynton, Gronquist & London of New York
- Total weight of 125,000 tons of concrete and steel
- Construction cost $21 million (US)
- Construction began on September 16, 1960
- Opened to traffic on October 31, 1962
- Annual vehicle crossings approximately 1,900,000
Measurements -
- Total length of the bridge (1.9 miles) 9,870’
- Total length of U.S. Plaza to CND Plaza (2.8 miles) 14,768’
- Width of roadway between curbs 28’
- Maximum height above ground 145’
- Minimum vertical clearance of canals 124’
Regulations -
- Maximum speed is 30mph/50kmph
- U-turns, and passing are prohibited on the bridge
- Stopping is not permitted on the bridge
- No pedestrian traffic is allowed
- If your vehicle becomes disabled please remain in your vehicle and turn on your four-way flashers. Bridge personnel will investigate and assist you.
- Commercial weight limitation 144,000 lbs. (72 tons)
- Width restrictions:
- 12’ or greater requires escort.
- 13’6” requires bridge closure and escort.
- "Overweight/Overwidth?" Please call: 906-635-5255 (U.S.) 705-942-4345 (CDN)
Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority Members
Michigan -
William W. Sutter, Chair
Richard Le Blanc, Member
Brian Davies, Member
Gary LaPlant
Ontario -
Helen Gillespie, Vice Chair
James McIntyre, Member
Rick Talvitie, Member
Glenn Hewus, Member
If you have new or updated information about this virtual brochure, please contact us.