Prior to the construction of the Cheboygan Bascule Bridge, a wrought-iron swing-span bridge crossed the Cheboygan River at this location.
It was built in 1877 and by 1940, had become dangerous due to its age and heavy traffic load.
Commissioner of the Michigan State Highway Department G. Donald Kennedy stated that it vibrated noisily and the unloaded end caused the "rusty old structure to bounce up and down on its seat."
The Cheboygan Bascule Bridge is heavier and wider than this previous span.

The replacement bridge was designed by the state highway department in early 1940; consulting firm Hazelet and Erdal assisted with the bascule span.
The contract was awarded to the W. J. Storen Company of Detroit as lowest bidder at $187,511.98.
Steel and machinery were provided by the R. C. Mahon Company.
Construction was scheduled to begin in May 1940 and finish in late autumn.
The bridge was completed at a cost of $206,000 in December 1940, slightly behind schedule, due to the death of the contractor.
The bridge was dedicated in a public ceremony on December 7, 1940.
The dedication speech was given by G. Donald Kennedy, in which he described the bridge as "an achievement of state-wide significance."
This was the final bascule bridge constructed in Michigan before the end of World War II.
Other moveable spans planned for Charlevoix, Houghton, and St. Joseph were delayed until after war's end.

The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 9, 1999.
It was eligible due to its preservation and as a mainstream example of bascule bridges in the state.

In 2003, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) planned rehabilitation work on the bridge to preserve its historical integrity and maintain safety.
The project cost $2.1 million, funded by the Build Michigan II program and TEA-21.
Major work commenced in January 2004 and finished in late June.
The road surface and sidewalks were replaced and the leaves were balanced.
The original railings were replaced with newly fabricated, historically accurate ones and were retrofitted with crash-worthy two-tube railings on the inside.
Lighting was changed to match the designs used downtown on a community request.
Construction was concentrated in the winter to minimize disruption to marine traffic.
As of 2011, the bridge is rated as functionally obsolete, but not structurally deficient.
Prior to the construction of the Cheboygan Bascule Bridge, a wrought-iron swing-span bridge crossed the Cheboygan River at this location. It was built in 1877 and by 1940, had become dangerous due to its age and heavy traffic load. Commissioner of the Michigan State Highway Department G. Donald Kennedy stated that it vibrated noisily and the unloaded end caused the "rusty old structure to bounce up and down on its seat." The Cheboygan Bascule Bridge is heavier and wider than this previous span.
The replacement bridge was designed by the state highway department in early 1940; consulting firm Hazelet and Erdal assisted with the bascule span. The contract was awarded to the W. J. Storen Company of Detroit as lowest bidder at $187,511.98. Steel and machinery were provided by the R. C. Mahon Company. Construction was scheduled to begin in May 1940 and finish in late autumn. The bridge was completed at a cost of $206,000 in December 1940, slightly behind schedule, due to the death of the contractor. The bridge was dedicated in a public ceremony on December 7, 1940. The dedication speech was given by G. Donald Kennedy, in which he described the bridge as "an achievement of state-wide significance." This was the final bascule bridge constructed in Michigan before the end of World War II. Other moveable spans planned for Charlevoix, Houghton, and St. Joseph were delayed until after war's end.
The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on December 9, 1999. It was eligible due to its preservation and as a mainstream example of bascule bridges in the state.
In 2003, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) planned rehabilitation work on the bridge to preserve its historical integrity and maintain safety. The project cost $2.1 million, funded by the Build Michigan II program and TEA-21. Major work commenced in January 2004 and finished in late June. The road surface and sidewalks were replaced and the leaves were balanced. The original railings were replaced with newly fabricated, historically accurate ones and were retrofitted with crash-worthy two-tube railings on the inside. Lighting was changed to match the designs used downtown on a community request. Construction was concentrated in the winter to minimize disruption to marine traffic. As of 2011, the bridge is rated as functionally obsolete, but not structurally deficient.
Cheboygan Bascule Bridge