The Mackinac Bridge is the one of the world's most beautiful bridges and the longest suspension bridge in the Americas, with a total length of 8,614 feet suspended. It is currently the third longest suspension bridge in the world Much of the beauty comes from the setting at the Straits of Mackinac. The Straits link Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The 5 mile long Mackinac Bridge (Big Mac) links Michigan's Lower and Upper peninsulas. Ground was broken to build the Mackinac Bridge on May 7, 1954 and the bridge opened to the public (and the ferries were shut down) on November 1, 1957. Today the Mighty Mac also unites the communities of Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. During the early years, the passenger car fare of $7.50 round trip was a day's wages and casual travel was minimal. The lower fares of the last 25 years was low enough that the communities very slowly grew more united. Today, the fare has crept back up to $8 round trip, but there is a discount for commuters. At the north end of the Bridge is Bridge View Park and the nearby Father Marquette Memorial. The Memorial is open only briefly during the summer. At the south end is Fort Michilimackinac State Historic Park. The park entrance is actually underneath the Bridge. Each Memorial Day Weekend, the residents of Mackinaw City reenact the history of the 18th Century British French and Native American community. The Fort is open from early May until early October.  Since 2004, the Old Mackinaw Point Lighthouse has been opened to the public. Colonial Fort Michilimackinac - costumed interpreters perform crafts and fire muskets and cannons while archeologists work on the North America's longest running "dig."

Building the Bridge 50th Anniversary of opening the bridge Fort Michilimackinac Mackinac Island Mackinac lighthouses Mackinaw winter 50th Anniversary of groundbreaking Seaplane Tour Mackinac 2001 Satellite Pictures

The main bridge cables are made from 42,000 Miles of wire weighting 11,840 Tons.

The towers reach 554 feet above the water surface and 210 feet beneath the surface to bedrock.

To accommodate temperature changes, high winds and changes of weight on the Mackinac Bridge,. The deck can move right or left as much as 35 feet at the center span. Normal movement is much less, and not obvious to vehicles crossing the bridge. 31 expansion joints allow movement at the length as segments change with the temperature.

On Labor Day morning, the bridge is closed to traffic and 20-35,000 people, led by the Governor of Michigan, walk over the bridge.

copyright 1997-2024 by Keith Stokes. These photos may not be reproduced without written permission.