It appears that Duluth soon won't be getting as much of a rise from its lift bridge.
The city has won approval from the Coast Guard to test reducing the number of times that the Aerial Lift Bridge, the city's signature visual landmark, goes up.
"By limiting the number of lifts in a given hour we are improving public safety, improving traffic flow, and reducing wear and tear on the mechanics of the bridge," Mayor Don Ness said.
Currently, the downtown bridge goes up for any vessel at any time from March 16 to Dec. 31.
The new schedule, which awaits City Council approval, would provide scheduled lifts to small vessels on the hour and half-hour from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting May 3 and running until Oct. 31. The smaller vessels would be given immediate service only from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Commercial vessels weighing 300 tons or more would still be cleared under the bridge on request at all times, as would emergency vessels and craft seeking shelter from severe weather.
About 15,000 vehicles cross the bridge daily during peak tourist season, and the bridge averages 27 openings each day.
PAUL WALSH
