There has been an important waterway in the Vekaransalmi strait for as long as people have been on the water, because it has provided access from southern to northern Lake Saimaa. Today, it is a part of the Lake Saimaa deep-water route from Savonlinna via Puumala to southern Lake Saimaa and from there to the Gulf of Finland via the Saimaa Canal.
Ferry traffic in the Vekaransalmi strait started in 1894, but the history goes back much further in time. In the years 1743-1809, the border between Sweden and Russia was in the strait. The border cut off an important waterway to Savonlinna and Lappeenranta.
After the Winter War, the construction of the Salpa Line was started. On nearby Vekaransaari island, there is an anti-tank obstacle belonging to the Salpa Line. In 1941, the military of Finland built a temporary pontoon bridge made of barges in the Vekaransalmi strait, which was also used by the locals. The bridge was mainly needed to move soldiers, evacuees and their livestock.
In 2019, the ferry was replaced by a bridge, which was 639 meters long when completed. In terms of length, it is the fifth longest bridge in Finland and, because of the deep-water route, its height is 24.5 meters.