Sarnia History - 1st International Blue Water Bridge 1938

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• published: 04 Jun 2015
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The International Blue Water Bridge, spanning the St. Clair River between Sarnia and Port Huron, was an Idea which took more than a decade to realize. In June, 1927, the suggestion was made at Port Huron that a bridge project then rooted in Detroit be transferred to the St. Clair. While the transfer did not materialize the idea lingered. As a result, John Harrington, New York bridge promoter and consulting engineer, approached the Port Huron and Sarnia councils with a bridge proposition. Maynard D. Smith of Port Huron submitted a similar proposal. This was followed by others from the Port Huron and Sarnia Ferry Company: Stranahan, Harris & Oatis of Toledo and Chicago; and E. M. Elliot and Associates, Inc. of Chicago. First endorsation was given by the Port Huron and Sarnia councils to Harrington's $3,000,000 project. Early in 1928 bills for a bridge franchise were introduced in the United States Congress and the Dominion Parliament. Harrington formed the Canadian-American Bridge Company. After some months' delay, however, the Sarnia council withdrew its support and endorsed the proposal of the St. Clair Transit Company backed by Maynard Smith Interests. Harrington ultimately abandoned his efforts to secure passage of his franchise and eventually the St. Clair Transit Company bill was signed by President Calvin Coolidge and the equivalent Canadian measure was approved by Ottawa. On May 31, 1928, Sarnia held a celebration to mark the passage bill. The depression years came and delayed the project. But it was never quite dropped. in 1930 the franchise was renewed, but construction still hung fire. Another renewal was grated in 1934. Two years later the franchise was transferred to the Michigan Bridge Commission which at long last proceeded with the financing and construction of the bridge. W. T. Goodison, M.P. of Sarnia, had actively supported the bridge idea in its early stages and after his untimely death his successor, Ross W. Gray, M.P. kept up the influence in welding together the forces which made the bridge a reality and his legal talents were exceedingly helpful in the negotiations and in the difficult work of international financing. An appropriation of $3,614,000 was made for the project of which $2,350,000 was for the centre span and the purchase of ferries $629,00 for the U.S. approach and $635,000 for the Canadian approach. The first sod was turned at Port Huron on June 24, 1937. The bridge was completed and formally opened in 1938. The structure was located at the narrowest point of the river between Fort Gratiot and Point Edward. Made of steel cantilever construction, it has a toal length of 6,392 feet, with a centre span length of 1,523 feet. The suspended span over the St. Clair River, 871 feet long, is 152 feet above the navigation channel, with the top of the bridge 210 feet above the surface of the river. The Canadian approach is 2,657 feet and the Michigan approach 2,301 feet. The roadway 32 feet wide provides three traffic lanes, and is supplemented by a four-foot sidewalk.