Boatnerd Discussion Forum

The Michigan Street lift bridge in the City of Buffalo remains inoperable, but at least it is in the fully raised position.

This will allow commercial vessels to access the Standard Elevators for grain shipment and the former Mobil tank farms on the Buffalo River east of Michigan Avenue.

Repairs crews will resume their work on Monday July 6th!

Buffalo Fireboat EM Cotter (also known as BFD Engine 20), the oldest operating fireboat in the country, was called into action yesterday to hose down the Michigan Avenue lift bridge on the Buffalo River.

The bridge steel had expanded from the heat, and was not able to be closed to road level. The Buffalo River is currently in passable to ship traffic east of the bridge.

This cuts off service to the Standard Elevator on Childs Street to grain shipments from the mid west.

Work is continuing today to repair the bridge. The Cotter's efforts, while substantial were not successful. Over 3 million gallons of water were poured onto the bridge by the Cotter.