It was difficult for boats to get under the bridge in Port Stanley in the 1930's. High demand was given to build a replacement lift bridge. It was a resident of Elgin, the premier of Ontario, Mitch Hepburn, who would help to make this fateful bridge a reality.

During construction of the lift bridge, a "Cofferdam" was created to allow under water-level construction work to proceed. Tragically, several people were killed when this Cofferdam suddenly collapsed.