50th Anniversary of the Blue Water Bridge

• This is the only bridge jointly owned by two countries because it is operated by The Blue Water Bridge Authority and the Michigan Department of Transportation.

• The Blue Water Bridge is a cantilever type consisting of a total length of steel work of approximately 6,534 feet. The main span over the river is 875 feet with two 326 foot anchor arms on either side of the main anchor towers. The centre span was erected from each anchor tower on shore out over the river forming part of the main cantilever arms. The grade on the Canadian and American approaches is 4.25 percent and 4.31 percent receptively leading to the central span which is 68 feet deep at mid-span some 150 feet above the water.

• The Canadian Approach is make up of 35 girder spans, two 44 foot truss spans, one 26 foot truss span, one 204 foot truss span and one 260 foot truss span. The main girders of the approach span are 6 feet deep and the floor beans are 36 inches deep. The floor beams support 18 inch stringers spaced at approximately 5 feet centre to centre on top of which is the 7 inch reinforced concrete deck. The portion over the river being of light weight concrete for the purpose of structural economy. The deck is 32 feet wide with a 4 foot sidewalk on the south side and a 2 foot curb on the north side.

• The main span and the cantilever arms are supported by two concrete piers adjacent to the waters edge and by massive steel anchor towers at the ends of the cantilever arms. Beyond the anchor towers there are tow truss spans followed by a succession of girder spans to the abutments.