The bridge was built in 1929 and opened July 4, 1931, with a grand parade where it was officially dedicated as a Door County Veterans Memorial which plaques at either end still reads "To honor those who gave of themselves, to their country, in times of need" as a gift by the State of Wisconsin.

The Sturgeon Bay Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 17, 2008, for its unique upper rolling lift bascule and length.

Federal safety standards required four-lane replacement in order to accommodate the heavy traffic loads and congestion caused by the bridge's 3,000 openings annually.

Subsequently, the Sturgeon Bay Bridge was designated as Wisconsin Business Highway 42/57.

[5] In 2002, the city of Sturgeon Bay and the state of Wisconsin agreed to build a second bridge in downtown Sturgeon Bay to avoid traffic congestion and cutting off northern Door County if the Michigan Street Bridge closed for repairs.

The bridge was then re-opened in spring 2011 to foot and vehicle traffic after painting was completed.

Newer features to the bridge include LED lights, traffic signals, and CCTV cameras.

None of the accidents involved apparent injuries; they were considered property damage incidents only.