Mackinac Bridge Sightseeing

The construction of the Mackinac bridge had been envisioned ever since the 1880's, and was not completed until 1957. Year round boat service across the straits of the Mackinac had been deemed as impractical, mainly because of cold winters which would freeze the water across the entire strait. Upon the completion of the Brooklyn Bridge, residents began to wonder if such a bridge could be made in Michigan. The idea of the bridge was discussed in legislation as early as the 1880's, yet it would be a few more decades before the bridge was complete.

While pedestrians are usually prohibited from being on the bridge, the exception to the rule is on labor day, when the bridge opens for the Labor Day bridge walk. On average about 50,000 to 60,000 people will walk across the Mackinac bridge each year. They begin on the St Ignace side of the bridge in the Lower Peninsula, and upon reading Mackinaw city are awarded certificates of completion. The first walk occured in 1958 and has been growing more and more each year. The highest attendance to the Bridge Walk was 85,000 in 1992, when President George H. W. Bush led the walk in attempt to win over Michigan voters. Despite the record attendance, the state still went to Bill Clinton.

It is possible for the Mackinac Bridge's center deck to move as much as 35 feet east or west due to high winds, which would only happen under severe wind conditions. The deck would not swing or "sway" but would instead move slowly in one direction based on the force and direction of the wind.

Unlike its counterpart, the Golden Gate bridge, the Mackinac bridge does not attract regular suicides. Lawrence Rubin, executive secretary of the Bridge Authority once said on the bridge's lack of suicides "I have a theory about that. People who commit suicide like attention. It's peaceful here, and we don't have wire services or television stations and you could jump off this bridge and it might take years before anybody found out."

Travellers across the Mackinac bridge can listen to a radio broadcast that tells more about the history of the bridge. One fact mentioned in the broadcast is that it takes seven years to finish painting the bridge, and once the painting is complete, it begins again. For those who are uncomfortable driving across the bridge, the Mackinac Bridge Authority offers a "Driver's Assistance Program" where drivers can have their cars driven to the other end for no extra cost.