Mackinac Bridge Has Been a Michigan Staple Since 1957

It's known as the "Mighty Mack."  We're talking about the beautiful Mackinac Bridge that connects both the Lower and Upper Peninsula's in northern Michigan.

Construction on the Mackinac Bridge started on May 7, back in 1954.  It officially opened to the public in 1957.  That's 64 years ago and hard to believe that's its been around for so many years.

Get our free mobile app

I was only 1 year old when the Mackinac Bridge opened to the public.  The first time I remember seeing the Mackinac Bridge was during our family summer vacation.  That was around 1966, when I was 10 years old.

I'll never forget the first time I saw this massive bridge or the first time my family and I drove over the Mackinac Bridge into the Upper Peninsula.

All I can tell you is that it was awesome.  My eyes lit up like it was my very first Christmas.  I was 10 years old and we were driving across a 5 mile bridge in northern Michigan.

I looked right and looked left and there they were, two of the five Great Lakes.  Lake Michigan on the left and Lake Huron on the right.  It was a sight to see, especially for a 10 year old boy.

Since that moment back in 1966, I've driven over the Mackinac Bridge at least 20 times and still to this day, I find it just as exciting now as I did many years ago during our family vacation.

The "Mighty Mack" is an amazing bridge with a lot of history behind it.  For example:

Courtesy of mackinacbridge.org:

The Mackinac Bridge is currently the fifth longest suspension bridge in the world.  In 1998, the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Japan became the longest with a total suspension of 12,826 feet.  The Mackinac Bridge is the longest suspension bridge in the western hemisphere.  The total length of the Mackinac Bridge is 26,372 feet.

In August, my wife and I will make another trip north here in Michigan to see the "Mighty Mack."  The Mackinac Bridge has been a Michigan staple since 1957 and always will be.