In my frequent travels to visit that someone special in the Hancock, I am forced (against my will of course) to cross the only bridge that connects the Keweenaw from the rest of us.
It is a great bridge and yes it seems quite dependable. But at times I often wonder… what would happen if the bridge broke? On one occasion I have posed that question to my girlfriend (that special someone who lives “over the bridge”). Her response? “They’d figure something out”. As it turns out they have had this problem in the past and yes, they have figured something out.
The Portage Canal Lift Bridge is the 3rd bridge to span the portage canal and on one occasion in the past one of those bridges actually collapsed. It was a long time ago, before cell phones of course. Apparently there was some confusion with hand signals between the bridge operator and a steamer. Sounds like a cell phone would have come in handy doesn’t it. The collision took out a portion of the bridge so if your last name wasn’t Knievel it was not a good day.
So I guess Lori was right (was there ever a doubt?!?). They did figure something out. They used ferries just like they did before there were bridges.
If you want to learn more about the history of the bridges that spanned the Portage Canal there is a great article that I ran across while trying to learn a little more about that great bridge we all take for granted. Click here to access the article on Pasty.com.
Below are a few of the images I have captured of the intriguing bridge taken this past year. It always begs for a photo from me. I’m glad it does.
