Happy Birthday, Mighty Mac

May 30, 2007

On November 1, 2007 the Mackinac Bridge, also known as “the Mighty Mac” or the “Big Mac,” will be 50 years old. Since Novembers in Northern Michigan are unpredictable, the “official” celebration to honor the bridge will be the last weekend of July. In addition to the celebration sponsored by the Mackinac Bridge Authority, several other organizations and events are scheduled throughout the summer and fall to pay tribute to the world’s 10th largest suspension bridge.
The construction of the Mackinac Bridge during the 1950s brought international attention to Michigan. Upon its completion in 1957, it would become the third largest suspension bridge in the world. In some categories, such as the distance between cable anchorages, it is the world’s longest suspension bridge. Regardless of how it is ranked, it remains as one of the great marvels of Michigan.
For the Upper Peninsula, the connection to the rest of the state would forever change the land across the straits that seemed to be a distant wilderness. The two peninsulas were connected in the 1920s by car ferries. In its heyday, a fleet of nine ferries would carry up to 9,000 vehicles per day. Yet, as traffic grew too heavy for the car ferries to accommodate, then-Governor Fred Green ordered the State Highway Department to conduct a bridge feasibility study. The study in 1928 came back favorable and projected the cost at $30 million, but The Great Depression slowed talks about making a bridge a reality.

EARLY IDEAS
Visions and discussions of a bridge across the “Straits of Mackinac” started in the 1880s as residents of St. Ignace, Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island would gather on occasion at local pubs and discuss ways to connect the communities. In 1883 when the Brooklyn Bridge in New York opened, it fueled discussion fodder for a bridge. One St. Ignace shopkeeper placed an ad in the paper of an artist rendering of the Brooklyn Bridge and captioned it “Proposed Bridge Across the Straits of Mackinac.”
Wild ideas began to develop. One state highway commissioner put forward the idea of a floating tunnel. C.E. Fowler, a famous New York engineer, proposed a series of bridges and causeways from Cheboygan to Bois Blanc Island, Round Island and Mackinac Island over to St. Ignace.
Serious consideration of building a bridge started up again in 1934 as a possible P.W.A project that was part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal to get the country out if its economic depression. In that same year, the Michigan Legislature created the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority of Michigan. Granted limited funds, the Authority conducted several studies and reached the conclusion that a bridge was feasible and would cost $32 million for two lanes of auto traffic and a one-track railway. However, despite endorsements from President Roosevelt and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Federal Emergency Administration of Public Works rejected requests for loans and grants made by the Bridge Authority.

SETBACKS
For the next 12 years the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority was unsuccessful in its attempt to attract the necessary funding. The onset of WWII also was attributed to the lack of funding for the project. In 1947, the Michigan Legislature voted to abolish the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority.
Despite the setbacks, bridge backers refused to quit. They convinced the legislature to reinstate the Bridge Authority in 1950 to conduct another study. This study showed the cost to construct a bridge at $86 million. Because of the shortage of building materials as a result of the Korean War the bridge again was placed on the backburner.
A resurging economy helped to sell $99 million in Mackinac Bridge bonds by the end of 1953. With financing in place, construction started in May, 1954.
It would take two and half years to build (a fantastic feat in itself since the bridge was completed as scheduled) and require 3,500 workers on site, along with 350 engineers. An additional 7,500 worked in the quarries, mills and shops producing all the materials needed. Construction went year-round, including during the harsh winters. The dangerous working conditions resulted in five workers losing their lives during the construction process; three ironworkers died during a cat walk collapse, another fell from the north tower, and the fifth person was a diver who surfaced too quickly and died from “the bends.”

FOLKLORE & LEGENDS
A lot of folklore came out of the construction days. One of the biggest stories that remains even today were that bodies were buried in the concrete slabs. That wasn’t case. The bridge did make national news on April 24 1959 as Captain John Lappo of the United States Air Force took his $2.5 millon RB-47E bomber under the bridge.
In the 50 years since its construction only one bridge worker has lost their life. In August of 1997, painter David Doyle fell 60 feet to his death. In 1989, a micro-sized Yugo car was blown off the bridge during a windstorm. It is believed the sport utility vehicle that went off the bridge in March 1997 was a suicide.
The Big Mac has been labeled a big financial success. The payrolls of over a 10,000 workers helped to strengthen not only the Northern Michigan economy but those in neighboring states. The United States Steel Corporation was awarded a $44 million contract and employed thousands. Upon compeletion of the bridge, thousands of visitors flocked to the Upper Peninsula, creating a major tourism economy. Yoopers, as they call themselves, started refering to those who live below the bridge in lower Michigan as “trolls.”
In July of 1986, the last of the Mackinac Bridge bonds were retired. Fares are now used to operate and maintain the bridge and repay the State of Michigan for monies advanced to the Authority since the facility opened to traffic in 1957.

MAC FACT
Today, approximately 4.2 million vehicles cross the Mackinac Bridge annually. Traffic counts in recent years have declined as tourism in the region has struggled. Organizers of this summer’s celebration to honor “The Mighty Mac” hope that the spotlight on the bridge will help to create tourist traffic.
The magic of the Mackinac Bridge is probably best captured in a quote rock legend Bob Seger gave the Northern Express last fall:
“It is has become a rite of spring for me when I head north. The first nice spring day I get on my motorcycle and ride from my place in Good Hart (near Harbor Springs) and cross the Mackinac Bridge,” said Seger. “It is one of the greatest feelings in the world, going over that bridge and looking over Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Being on that bridge makes you proud to be a Michigander and proud of the thousands that built it. I hope to walk the bridge this Labor Day with my family. It is something we have never done.”
Happy Birthday “Mighty Mac.” To learn more about this summer’s celebrations and other fun facts about the Mackinac Bridge check out www.mackinacbridge.org

50th Anniversary Events

The Mackinac Bridge 50th Celebration will take place on July 27 - 28. Following is a tentative schedule of events:

Thursday, July 26
10 a.m. Bridge View Park - St. Ignace Dr. David B. Steinman dedication ceremony

Friday, July 27
Noon and 2:30 p.m. Little Bear Community Center, St. Ignace. Slide shows.
6 p.m. reception, Kewadin Casino,
St. Ignace.
7 p.m. banquet, Kewadin Casino,
St. Ignace.

Saturday, July 28
10:30 a.m. Parade, Downtown St. Ignace 11:45 a.m. 50 Parade Convertibles to cross bridge 12:30 p.m. Parade, Downtown Mackinaw City
Afternoon Events, Bridge View Park,
St. Ignace:
Folk music, ironworkers demos, National Guard flyover, convertible parade, music, food and fun.

Monday, September 3
7 a.m. 50th Annual Bridge Walk

Thursday, November 1
Commemoration Ceremony, Bridge View Park - St. Ignace (Specific events and time to be determined)

Times are subject to change