Behind the Scenes: Duluth’s Other, Rarely Shown Lift Bridge (plus Vista Star)

I’ve had a few requests lately from viewers I’ve talked to at the canal to show more areas of the harbor, so here’s one I thought people may enjoy!
Built in 1991, the Minnesota Slip Bridge (aka the Little Blue Bridge) is an iconic part of Duluth Harbor, but is rarely shown in pictures or footage online. Unlike the more well known Aerial Bridge, the Slip Bridge opens to the sides, splitting in the center in what’s called a bascule lift bridge. It connects Canal Park to the Duluth Convention Center, Great Lakes Aquarium and Bayfront Park, and is very heavily trafficked with over 600,000 people crossing it annually. Its waterway is primarily used by small fishing and sailboat traffic, as well as the Vista Star and Vista Queen tour boats, as seen here. The 611ft long, 60ft wide museum ship William A Irvin can also pass through the bridge… barely. She fits through the gap with a couple inches to spare, but fortunately she only moves once every few decades. From its construction up until 2016 the bridge suffered a lot of mechanical difficulties, breaking down regularly in both the up and down positions, causing major trouble with boat and foot traffic. It took a several million dollar effort to fix the bridge to have it work reliably. The bridge is controlled by a small hut on the Canal Park side of the span. The Slip itself was long an industrial iron ore dock that was retired in the 1960s after most ships became too large to use it. It sat unused for years until the 80s after the construction of the neighboring Convention center and tourist district was constructed around the Canal. The Irvin museum ship was docked in it, while the other side was converted into a small marina. The bridge was added in 1991 after foot traffic had difficulty walking the rather long way around the backside of the inlet.
As for the Vista Star, she is seen a lot, coming and going from the canal, often seen alongside larger ships, but is never really featured or talked about. Built in 1987, she is a modified 3 deck tour boat measuring 85ft long and has operated in Duluth her entire career. She features 365 degree views on all decks with an open bow, stern and upper deck, plus a downstairs bar. She often sails sightseeing, dinner and midnight booze cruises. Originally one of three large tour boats along with the much older and slightly smaller Vistas King and Queen, she is the flagship of the Vista Fleet. The original Vista Queen was retired in the 2000s after over 50 years in service and replaced by the smaller, current Vista Queen which is primarily used for charters and events (such as weddings or for VIP viewing at waterfront concerts). The Vista King was sold and moved to Milwaukee, WI during the Covid Pandemic where she remains today, leaving the Vista Star as the only main tour boat for Duluth at the moment, and she works hard to fill those shoes!

[@user-AZ-phil]

So that's why, back in 08, when I visited Duluth, the Vista Star boarded on the harbor side of the bridge. I vaguely recall someone saying something about the bridge, as my dog and I walked across on our way over to Canal Park. At this point, I can't remember what the comment was (85 year old mind, of course). I enjoy watching your videos of the canal and Aerial Bridge, but this was a fun one of a different side of Duluth. Thanks for sharing it.

[@bettygilmore611]

This was so informative and fun to watch. Another reason to visit Duluth.

[@jonathanellsworth21]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@timothynewton4453]

This is what you call awesome and going the extra mile. Now if you were there vacationing who wouldn't want to take a tour on this boat. I didn't pose that as a question because you'd be a fool not to.

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@timothynewton4453 thank you! And yeah it’s a seriously fun little cruise

[@pixie706]

A slow laborious process but really interesting. Lovely to see more of this beautiful area . Thanks so much .

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@pixie706 yeah it’s certainly slow! My arms hurt so bad after trying to hold the camera completely still for that long lol. Debated putting the video in x2 speed but ultimately decided against it!

[@aaronneumeyer5572]

That was great! Thanks for another fun little video.

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@aaronneumeyer5572 glad you enjoyed!

[@skycvg]

Really enjoyed that POV. It's hard to see why the Vista Star has to always call secure before the bridge goes back down from the Aquarian Cam. Now it all makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing as always.

[@jonathanellsworth21]

Yeah I sort of wish the GLA cam could be moved over to be on the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Store or the Harbor Walk instead, that way you catch the slip bridge action and the new cruse dock facing into the harbor. GLA is a great location that used to be pretty unique but with Pier B and all the hillside cams it’s sort of become a bit redundant. This way you’d have some action to watch even in slow periods in larger traffic.

[@danielmorris3687]

I'd forgotten about that little bridge. I watched a video where they had to move the museum ship to dredge or do dock repair. I think I'm remembering that correctly, but you're not exaggerating when you said it's a tight squeeze. Banger of a video, Jonathon

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@danielmorris3687 thank you! They were bringing the ship back from repairs in the shipyard, she was getting rough

[@danielmorris3687]

@@jonathanellsworth21 yup, that's what it was. It was pretty tense sliding her between those bridge sections.

[@gregmctevia5087]

Great job, dude. I’ve never noticed that little bridge before and, to the best of my recollection, none of your ship spotting colleagues has featured it in a video presentation. Be sure to tell Paul and Mike next time you see them that I said you scooped them big time on this interesting little Duluth feature 😉😉😉😉.

[@laurenolson8492]

Love it! Saw that and did the Star the last day in Duluth before I headed to the Soo. Was just able to show my best friend! Thanks Jonathan! Hope you are well!

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@laurenolson8492 I’m doing well thank you! Glad you got to go on her! Been a couple years for me now

[@scottbuck8813]

Is there a place being built for cruise ships to dock along there someplace or did I misunderstand that?

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@scottbuck8813 yep! You can see the machinery in the background as Vista comes in

[@Alcochaser]

I seem to remember there is a rarely seen swing bridge back at Grassy Point too.

[@ellenhalpern1882]

Great video, thanks

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@ellenhalpern1882 thanks!

[@anthonygiglio9860]

Fantastic Video 😊

[@jonathanellsworth21]

@@anthonygiglio9860 thank you!