This bridge is not only an incredible feat in design and construction, but also an important piece of history that connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. At the north end of the bridge is St. Ignace and at the south end of the 5 miles of steel and concrete is Mackinaw City. In the area, by 1928 the passenger traffic on the ferries had become too great and a solution had to be found. Opened in 1957, this bridge was the much-needed answer to seasonal commuting problems between the Peninsulas.
The total length is 5 miles, including the suspension bridge, the north and south approaches and the main towers. With over one million tons of weight and towers with a height of 552 feet above water, it took 350 engineers and over 3,500 workers to complete the $40 million project. The view of both lakes is quite impressive as the progressively water surrounds passengers the further they proceed onto the bridge. And every year the Mackinac Bridge Walk ensues in September, bringing over 60,000 people together every year to take part in the near 50-year old tradition. Take a relaxing drive down Michigan history and let the views fill you with the excitement of entering a different world.
