Photos
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MI-329-1 Photo taken by Historic American Engineering Record |
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MI-329-2 Photo taken by Historic American Engineering Record |
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Fog Bell This is one of the original fog bells. It was removed from the south tower and placed at the visitors center in 2002 Photo taken by Bob Morgan in August 2009 |
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Steelworker Memorial Located at the Visitor's Center at the north shore. Photo taken by Bob Morgan in August 2009 |
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Inscription on steelworker monument Plate on the Steelworker Memorial located at the North Shore Visitor's Center. Photo taken by Bob Morgan in August 2009 |
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Mackinac Bridge View from jetty at Mackinac City. Photo taken by Bob Morgan in August 2009 |
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Big Mac at night View from the lakefront park in Mackinac City. Photo taken by Bob Morgan in August 2009 |
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05 02A.JPG Photo taken from the waters of the Straits. Photo taken by Robert Thompson |
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Mighty Mac This is one of my favorite bridges Photo taken by Nick Brnot |
Facts
- Overview
- Suspension bridge over the Straits of Mackinac on I-75 at Mackinaw City
- Location
- Emmet County, Michigan
- Status
- Open to traffic
- History
- Built 1957
- Design
- Wire suspension main span, with an assortment of deck truss designs and a piled rock causeway for approaches.
- Dimensions
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Length of largest span: 3,801.0 ft.
Total length: 19,248.6 ft.
Deck width: 47.9 ft.
- Recognition
- Posted to the National Register of Historic Places
- Approximate latitude, longitude
- +45.81917, -84.72750 (decimal degrees)
45°49'09" N, 84°43'39" W (degrees°minutes'seconds") - Approximate UTM coordinates
- 16/676536/5076467 (zone/easting/northing)
- USGS topographic map
- Saint Ignace
- Inventory number
- BH 20027 (Bridgehunter.com ID)
- Inspection (as of 08/2006)
- Deck condition rating: Satisfactory (6 out of 9)
Superstructure condition rating: Very Good (8 out of 9)
Substructure condition rating: Good (7 out of 9)
Appraisal: Functionally obsolete
Sufficiency rating: 56.0 (out of 100) - Average daily traffic (as of 2007)
- 11,076
Update Log
- September 1, 2010: New photo from Nick Brnot
- August 19, 2010: Updated by Nick Brnot: Added Approach Detail
- March 17, 2010: Updated by J.R. Manning: Added Street View
- November 17, 2009: New photo from Robert Thompson
- September 8, 2009: New photos from Bob Morgan
- August 16, 2008: New photos from J.R. Manning
Sources
- HAER MI-329 - Mackinac Straights Suspension Bridge
- J.R. Manning - thekitchenguy [at] sbcglobal [dot] net
- Robert Thompson
- Bob Morgan - morgans212 [at] nc [dot] rr [dot] com
- Wikipedia
- Nick Brnot
Comments
The Mackinac Bridge is my inspiration point having been fascinated by it for forty years come September 2011. I plan on heading up to see it and a lighthouse that sits in its awesome shadow in a few months hopefully. Always nice to see others sharing simular feelings as I and posting their thoughts on this forum.
Big Mac is mind-boggling as well as beautiful! I grew up about 35 miles south of the bridge and remember watching the construction progress of the bridge. I crossed the bridge on the first day it was opened to traffic, and have walked it with my son several times on the annual Labor Day open walk. It still fascinates me to see it. One of my high school classmate's wife's father performed the indian ceremonial blessing dance on top of one of the main towers when its construction was completed (I think it was the north tower).
Anyway, it is always a joy to see it.
What's not to like about the Big Mac!
I am happy that there are plenty of people that have the same admirations for the Mackinac Bridge as I do
I grew up in this area, all of my family still lives there. Grwoing up in the area you never thought of how magnificent this bridge is. I really appreciate it now that I live in ohio. Thanks for all the pics and comments.
I have more pics from my girlfriend of the Mackinac Bridge. I never have enough admirable comments to say about my "inspiration point".
These pics were taken Aug 18th by my girlfriend, Michelle. This group of pics is the first of her's I am posting. I had the feeling "I wish I was there". Shelly took the opportunity of Mackinac for a family trip with her kids. Another noteworthy idea is to check out the numerous lighthouses scattered about the Mackinac area. As I love bridges, she enjoys lighthouses.
Mr Baughn, why don't you concider adding a "lighthouse" themed site, or add them as a "link". Meeting Shelly gave me a new interest besides bridges, "lighthouse".
This bridge remains my "inspiration point" It remains in good hands up north. The Mackinac Bridge Authority goes out of its way to make Big Mac the "jewel" of the Great Lakes
I see my soul and gain inner strength when I look at the Mighty MAC.
I hope more people post pictures of my "inspriration point" on this website. I been fascinated with the Mackinac Bridge since 1971 when I was 3 yrs old. It is a well maintained toll bridge that is lovingly cared for. It is the "crown jewel" of the Great Lakes area. It is not "functionally obsolete" in my eyes. It is a beautiful bridge, and should be an icon like the Golden Gate in California!
A very impressive bridge as the first picture shows from several miles away. Second picture shows the bridge from the north shore
