Throwback: Panatrol Restores Reliability to Duluth Minnesota Slip Bridge

Back in 2016, Panatrol Automation & Controls played a pivotal role in breathing new life into the Minnesota Slip Bridge, a well-known pedestrian and marine crossing along Duluth’s busy Lake Superior waterfront.

Minnesota’s Slip Bridge serves as both a vital walkway and a passage for boat routes. The bridge had long struggled with mechanical and control system failures, particularly due to  the high winds that sweep the harbor. Frequent breakdowns often left it stuck in either the up or down position, creating challenges for both maritime navigation and foot traffic.

As part of a comprehensive redesign led that year, Panatrol was entrusted with overhauling the outdated control systems. Working in tandem with the bridge’s mechanical updates, the team delivered a robust, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) based solution. This upgraded the bridge’s capacity to allow for upwards of 20 smooth, fault-free openings and closings each day, even in the challenging conditions that once shut the bridge down.

The control system upgrade incorporated advanced features such as precise motor speed control, redundant position feedback, and optimized integration with existing drive systems, all while preserving critical legacy cabling to reduce costs and environmental impact.

Combined with extensive mechanical improvements, the project transformed the Minnesota Slip Bridge from a chronic maintenance challenge into a dependable and resilient asset for Duluth’s vibrant waterfront community.

Explore control system services from Panatrol at panatrol.com/services/hmi-scada-design.