What are these spikes on the Duluth aerial lift bridge for?

I was on a boat trip and enjoyed a beautiful day at the end of September. We went sightseeing in the harbor on a friend's pontoon. We've all been on the water many times in the beautiful Duluth Harbor, located just on the south side of Park Point.

We got close to the lift bridge and since I wasn't driving the boat I actually had a chance to let my eyes wander and take in the scenery. Then I noticed something strange at the top of the lift.

At each end of the lift bridge there are four large spikes at the top. What could this be for? Was it to keep birds away? Were they antennas? None of us on the boat had a concrete answer, so I thought I would do some investigative journalism. Really badass stuff, right?

Read more: What's going on with this abandoned Pilot House in Duluth?

It turned out that I know the main operator of the lift bridge. We met years ago and I actually had the opportunity to go on the lift bridge. That was a really cool experience.

Anyway, I reached out to Dave and asked him what was going on with these cones.

They are lightning rods. The Aerial Lift Bridge is essentially a giant lightning rod. From time to time it is hit by passing thunderstorms.

These spikes are actually enclosed rods attached to long, large ground wires that reach to the ground. When lightning strikes the bridge, the current flows directly into the ground on both sides of the channel.

Did you know that the lift bridge can continue to function even if there is a power outage in the city? They have a large diesel generator that can raise and lower the bridge, as well as another generator for equipment and communications.

Learn more about lightning strikes in this video we made at B105 over 10 years ago.

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