Arguably the most iconic Duluth feature, the Aerial Lift Bridge was originally built in 1905 as a gondola bridge (see photo below). It was converted to the lift bridge that you see today in 1929-1930.
The bridge span weighs approximately 1000 tons (2 million pounds!). The weight is offset by two 500 ton weights on each end that allow the motors to move the span up and down with little effort. The horn you hear from the lift bridge is actually made up of two Westinghouse Airbrake locomotive horns.
The span is 15' above the water when down and can raise as high as 135' above the water if necessary. It takes approximately three minutes for the bridge to rise to the top. When large lakers are entering, the bridge will start its ascent when the ships are approximately a mile and a half from the bridge.
As a resident of Duluth for 38 years, I only recall ever walking across the bridge once until after I moved away. I've certainly driven across it hundreds of times. As part of this virtual cache you're going to walk onto the bridge.
To log this cache you'll need to do two tasks. First, you'll need to email me what the color of the restricted zone is before you enter the bridge (hint: it's not red). Please don't post that information in your log or post a picture of it as part of your log. It is painted on the sidewalk and is pretty hard to miss as the painting is a good 20' long. You don't need to wait for a confirmation from me before you log the cache but you do need to email me before or immediately after logging the cache. Second, you'll need to walk across the bridge and add a picture to your log of yourself or your GPS looking out toward Lake Superior from the center of the span (similar to the picture below but with you or your GPS in the photo).
7/19/21: The photo needs to be attached to your log on the cache page. Photos sent to me in private messages are nice but impossible to keep track of. If your photo isn't part of your log your log may be deleted.
Photos from previous visits do not qualify, you must visit this location after the publication date of this listing. You don't need to include your face if you don't want to. If these two tasks are not completed I will delete your log. If your log got deleted, that's probably why...
The city (which operates the bridge) does not allow loitering while on the bridge, but you should be fine to stop for a couple of seconds and take a picture. The city also does not allow passengers on the bridge while it's traveling up or down, so make sure you're clear of the bridge (and the restricted areas) during this time.
For extra credit, read about Petty Officer Edgar Culbertson, USCG, who drowned while attempting a rescue of three boys stranded at the end of the pier in 1967. A bronze plaque is erected on the pier about Culbertson.
Thanks to Hunter-Killer for the idea of publishing a virtual here.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.