The bridge over the Pigeon River was originally known as The Outlaw, as it was constructed without formal approval of the Canadian or American governments.

The highway swerves east at Thunder Bay International Airport as it widens to four lanes then continues north, crossing Arthur Street.

The Pigeon River Timber Company had cleared lands surrounding the towns of Port Arthur and Fort William, but no road existed to connect to locations outside.

The Department of Mines and Resources agreed to fund the project, and citizens proceeded to lay a new road as far as the river, beginning in 1913.

[7] On the opposite shore, Cook County and the State of Minnesota constructed a new road north from Grand Marais.

[10] To the surprise of the Rotary Clubs, J. E. Whitson, Roads Commissioner of Northern Ontario, and Howard Ferguson, Minister of Lands, Forest and Mines, were present at the opening, and agreed to pay the $768,000 ($15.3 million in 2023[11]) bridge cost.

[12] This bypass opened on November 1, 1963;[13] the American approach was rebuilt along the shore of Lake Superior, and a new bridge constructed over the river 10 km (6.2 mi) to the east.

[13] In 1963, Charles MacNaughton, minister of the Department of Highways, announced plans for the Lakehead Expressway to be built on the western edge of the twin cities of Port Arthur and Fort William (which amalgamated in 1970 to form Thunder Bay).

[20] Beginning in 1991, Highway 61 was completely reconstructed south of Thunder Bay to the border in preparation for the 1995 World Nordic Ski Championships.

This involved replacing eight bridges, improving sightlines, and adding five passing lanes and paved shoulders throughout the length of the highway.

[20] Highway 61B used James Street Swing Bridge over the Kaministiquia River, connecting Thunder Bay and Fort William First Nation.

After lengthy negotiations and legal proceedings between the City of Thunder Bay, CN Railway and the Fort William First Nation, the bridge was reopened to traffic in November 2019.