Traffic congestion between St. Joseph and Benton Harbor prompted the state highway department to relocate U.S. Route 31, now M-63.

A new bridge was needed to span the St. Joseph River, which carried steamboat traffic, resulting in a bascule design.

[1] The bridge was designed by consulting engineers Hazelet and Erdal of Chicago, a process thought to be completed by the end of 1946.

[2] Commissioner of the highway department Charles Ziegler served as guest of honor at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

[5] Rehabilitation work took place in 1966, including the replacement of the original railings, remnants of which are located along a staircase at one corner of the bridge.

[2] The bridge was eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion C for its rare type and connection to the engineering firm of Hazelet and Erdal.