Prior to 1938, the only way to get to Canada across the St. Lawrence River from the U.S. mainland was by boat or ferry.
The 1000 Islands International Bridge was built as a public works project during the Great Depression. Begun in 1937, it opened in August 1938 with President Franklin Roosevelt and Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King cutting the ribbon. It was the largest peace-time cooperative venture of its kind. Local residents had fought the bridge, fearing it would cause needed tourism revenues to pass them by. Rather, the bridge brought many new visitors to the area. The bridge has 7 spans that stretch from the Canadian mainland to the US mainland over Wellesley and Hill Islands.
Boaters from both countries enjoy a leisurely scenic ride through the International Rift, passing under the two spans of the international bridge that marks the border.
For more information:
Thousand Islands Bridge Authority:
http://www.tibridge.com
