Blue Water Bridge, Port Huron, Michigan

Blue Water Bridge

US/Canadian International Border Crossing between

Port Huron, MI and Point Edward/Sarnia, Ontario, Canada

The U.S./Canadian international border crossing between Port Huron, Michigan and Point Edward/Sarnia, Ontario has over a three hundred year history as a transportation center and area of strategic importance. Native American, French, British, U.S. and Canadian settlements adjacent to the head of the St. Clair River led to locating military forts, railroads, and military and traditional highways in the area. River ferries, railroad tunnels and highway bridges crossing the obstacle of the St. Clair River were logical outcomes to manage the growth in travel and commerce in this area of North America.

The first proposal to build a highway bridge over the St. Clair River was in July of 1927. However, the stock market crash and the generally poor economic climate inferred with the financing plans and the project was delayed.

By late 1935, the Michigan Department of Highways and the Minister of Highways for Ontario supported the bridge concept as part of a highway system from Chicago to Montreal.

It was proposed that the respective approaches would be financed by Ontario and Michigan with the center span financed by Michigan with a loan secured by toll revenues. Contracts were executed with the engineers and bonding companies and plans proceeded for the structure.

The Blue Water Bridge was designed and its construction supervised by the internationally-known bridge engineers, Modjeski & Masters of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who had as their Canadian associate the firm of Monsarrat & Pratley of Montreal, Quebec. In May of 1936, the final plans were completed and the construction began on June 14, 1937. The last concrete was placed on August 16, 1938.

The two main concrete piers are supported by bedrock approximately 101 feet below ground level. Each pier consists of two concrete shafts, tied together at the top, resting on two 24 foot diameter concrete filled caissons.

The anchor spans were completed first. The main span erection proceeded over the river from both sides simultaneously. Each section met at mid-span with extreme accuracy and the center connection was made with no difficulty.

The Michigan portion of the bridge is owned and operated by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). Since 1962, the Blue Water Bridge Authority (BWBA) has owned and operated the Ontario portion of the bridge.

In the late 1970's, people began to seriously discuss improving traffic flow at the Blue Water Bridge. Various studies were done on the need and location to provide additional capacity across the St. Clair River.

This includes the 1982 "St. Clair River Crossing Study" sponsored and approved by MDOT, FHWA, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Transport Canada. This study concluded that a new bridge adjacent to the existing structure was most appropriate when justified by traffic analysis.

An Environmental Impact Statement was issued in 1983 which analyzed plaza configuration options to improved traffic flow at the Michigan Plaza and incorporate a future bridge. Its design commenced in 1984. Financial concerns delayed the start of the construction project until 1991.

Completed in 1997, the reconstructed state-of-the-plaza is able to handle more traffic with greater safety and efficiency, and allow Customs and Immigration officials more room to inspect vehicles.

The $52 million plaza reconstruction and $3 million plaza reconfiguration allows the border to be prepared for the 21st century.

Information provided by M-DOT. If you need more information, please write to M-DOT (division), P.O. Box 30050, Lansing, MI 48909