The Opening of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge

Bridging Nations

Some landmarks do not just connect places, they connect people, histories, and entire nations. One such landmark opened to traffic on October 31, 1962: the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, linking Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

Spanning the St. Marys River, this bridge is more than steel and concrete. It is the only vehicular crossing between Michigan and Ontario for nearly 300 miles. The bridge serves as the northern terminus of Interstate 75 (I-75). In fact, it remains the tenth, busiest passenger crossing on the Canada–U.S. border, making it a vital connection between the two countries.

Building the Bridge

The idea for a bridge had been in motion for years. In 1954, Michigan established the International Bridge Authority, and Canada soon followed in 1955 by creating the St. Mary’s River Company. Construction officially began on September 16, 1960. Contractors Massman Construction Co. of Kansas City, Missouri, and Bethlehem Steel of Pennsylvania led the charge. Two years later, their work culminated in the official opening.

The bridge is operated by the International Bridge Administration, under the guidance of the Sault Ste. Marie Bridge Authority, a bi-national governing body with equal representation from Michigan and Canada.

Traditions and Changes Over the Years

In 1987, the first International Bridge Walk was held, a tradition that continues annually on the last Saturday in June. Thousands of participants join in, starting on the Michigan side and finishing in Ontario, a symbolic step across borders.

The bridge has also seen plenty of modernization. In 2005, Ontario announced a dedicated truck bypass route to connect the bridge to Highway 17. Named Carmen’s Way in honor of MP Carmen Provenzano, the road opened in 2006, improving traffic flow and safety.

Further upgrades included a Canadian plaza expansion in 2009, which brought a larger Canada Border Services Agency building and better inspection facilities. On the U.S. side, the toll plaza underwent a complete rebuild beginning in 2014, with a new facility opening in October 2015 to handle growing traffic needs.

A Bridge That Binds Two Nations

For more than 60 years, the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge has stood as both a practical link and a powerful symbol of friendship between the U.S. and Canada. It connects commerce, tourism, and communities, but perhaps more importantly, it reminds us that a bridge is never just about getting from point A to point B, it is about what lies between and beyond.

So next time you cross it, whether by car or on foot during the annual Bridge Walk, take a moment to appreciate the history, collaboration, and international unity it represents.

Marisa Fancy along with her husband and four children dreamt of moving “Up North”. They had vacationed for years in northern Michigan and in 1995 they finally made the move.

The family was always out exploring, but with 4 kids there was some limitations on what they could do. Marisa discovered the amazing network of trails in Northern Michigan after Steve died and she would walk for miles. The trails provided her with peace, comfort and solitude at a difficult time in her life. Later, after meeting Guy who would become her second husband, she learned to golf and found another passion she could enjoy in beautiful Northern Michigan.

Marisa has been the family historian, writer, and poet for as long as she can remember. She has always loved to write and has now found a creative outlet for it other than family. You can read her articles in Adventures in Northern Michigan, Northern Michigan History and Golf Up North.