Pier B Bridge Almost Complete

The bridge will connect the resort with Bayfront Festival Park. It should be completed by the start of the Tall Ships festival.

A new one of a kind bridge will connect Pier B in Duluth with Bayfront Festival Park.

The bridge is being praised for its unique design and how it will beautify the harbor.

The engineers and design team behind the bridge call it a first for the area and something that’s never been done before.

“It’s been awesome. It’s been fun working on it. I’m ready for it to be done and see it functional and everyone using it,” said welder Nick Spina.

The bridge stands in the shadows of the area’s most iconic, the lift bridge.

“My boss said this will make or break my career. My idea was to be on a boat the inaugural opening. If it works, I’ll be the first one through the slip. If it doesn’t, I’ll be heading the other way,” Tyler Snepting, mechanical engineer for the project.

Plans for the Pier B bridge began in 2011.

“With this bridge operating, this is what it’s all been coming down to, it’s amazing to see it happen,” said site supervisor Steve Foster.

It will connect Pier B to Bayfront Festival Park.

“It should be here for awhile,” said Snepting.

The bridge works with rails that are placed on each side. The rollers then enclose the rails and the bridge slides.

“It’s the only bridge that uses this concept. I tried to find other examples and there’s nothing like it out there,” said Snepting.

It’s the same technology as a roller coaster uses.

“Hopefully the smoothest ride,” said project manager Doug Olsen.

Pier B used local Twin Ports companies AMI and Nordic Underwater Services for the bridge.

“It’s a great statement to Pier B’s desire to impact the Duluth economy and from their vision to completion,” said Olsen.

This project bridges the gap between the new and the old and will connect many with lifetime memories.

“Generations from now, this bridge will still be here and it’s nice to know it will be here for the long run,” said Spina.