Mackinac Bridge, Suspension bridge in St. Ignace, Michigan, United States
The Mackinac Bridge spans approximately 8,038 meters (26,372 feet) across the Straits of Mackinac, connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas with towers rising 168 meters (551 feet) above the water.
Construction of the bridge began in May 1954 and was completed on November 1, 1957, after decades of proposals dating back to the 1880s when local merchants first considered building a crossing inspired by the Brooklyn Bridge.
Known as the Mighty Mac, the bridge serves as a symbol of regional unity in Michigan and hosts an annual Labor Day pedestrian walk that attracts thousands of residents and visitors celebrating this engineering achievement.
The bridge operates as a toll bridge carrying thousands of vehicles daily on the state highway system, with revenues used for ongoing maintenance, structural inspections, and operational costs to ensure safe crossings between the peninsulas.
The bridge features the deepest suspension bridge foundations in the world, with reinforced concrete caissons extending more than 200 feet (61 meters) below water to reach bedrock in the turbulent straits.
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