Building the Mighty Mac

Mackinac Bridge documentary.

[@ojadkins]

I have viewed and driven across Big Mac more times than I care to count and every single time that the bridge comes into my view, I get goose bumps! I love that bridge. I love Northern Michigan.

[@zacharywalters8139]

I'm from Mackinaw City and had the bridge out of my living room window growing up. Where are you from?

[@ojadkins]

@@zacharywalters8139 Zach I grew up in Chicago until I reached 17 then went into the military and finished growing up. Came to Michigan in 1977 and now I'm proud to say that this is Home Sweet Home. You looked out the window at the bridge, I looked out the window at the Stockyards. 😞

[@scottsdale4899]

Born in the UP and my great grandfather was in the original procession over the bridge opening day with the governor. That bridge is etched in my soul. I love it right there with the international bridge in the soo.

[@ojadkins]

@@zacharywalters8139 Sorry for such a wait to reply to you Zach. Now it may sound as if I’ve been in the witness protection program and I haven’t. Early part of my life started in West Virginia, then Illinois, then in the military. Back to Illinois. Then to Michigan (Lansing area). Been in Northern Mich. since 1977. My wife can’t get me any further South of Gaylord anymore 🙂

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Yoopers!

[@davidholmes2283]

I'm often blown away by the engineering achievements of previous generations.

[@Malama_Ki]

Just as I’m equally astounded by the incompetence of the generation these days… They’d be speaking German or Japanese with purple hair and rainbow flags.

[@billclisham8668]

I have been across the mighty Mac countless times in my 60 years and it amazes me each and every time.

[@brucerivard4337]

Being a native Yooper, I highly admire the Mighty Mac and those that built her, as she's a beautiful structure.

[@Tim-the-pilot]

As just a 12 year old boy my father Was an industrial painting contractor back in the late 60’s who painted the mighty Mac. I remember going to the top of one of the towers and dinner at Larry Rubins house..Now in my late 60’s this video brought back a flood of memories..

[@robertsoleau6149]

Those Iron workers were nothing less than bad ass. Couldn't imagine trying to find men like this today. I'm a native of Michigan and I like others who commented would be in awe just approaching the Mac.

[@uralbob1]

I was nearly killed on the bridge while crossing (about mid-span) on my motorcycle in August of 1972. It was about 3 a.m. as I headed for home from Sault St. Marie to my little town near Lansing. It was nearly pitch black, but the stars were abundant, and I was gazing upward at the sky and the amazing lit superstructure. I was all alone, I thought, without a care in the world! Undoubtedly speeding, I was just a stupid teenager back then. Suddenly, my left arm hit something that tore my hand from the grip, and the bike went into a violent oscillation (tank slapper in motorcycle speak). After I finally regained control and slowed to nearly stopping, I gazed back at what must have been a bridge authority maintenance truck, straddling the center lane divider. The truck had huge flashing yellow lights to make it’s presence obvious. Never saw it! I believe I must have hit the driver’s side rear view mirror or something else protruding from the truck. Had I been a foot or so more to the left, the open center lane would have ground me into fish food like a cheese grater! Taking the first exit off the bridge, I stopped at a doughnut shop and ordered a coffee. The coffee had to be sucked from the cup on the counter, as I was shaking uncontrollably, and couldn’t steady it. It was kinda terrifying to know how close I came to dying. Every time I cross the bridge, there is a profound memory of that encounter! My left arm was deeply bruised from the elbow to nearly my shoulder and it turned blue/black. Had to wear long sleeve shirts for a few weeks so my mom wouldn’t see it! She didn’t know about this incident until the late ‘90s!

[@shirleybalinski4535]

I drove across the Bridge, in the Fall of 1969, at 100mph!! Not much traffic in those days. It was late afternoon during the week. I had my parents boat of a buick. It had to weigh a couple tons. Me & 2-3 other girls from high school. We were in a hurry to meet a deadline!! LOL.

[@hogcornerscustoms4182]

My father, (born and raised in the UP.), worked on the ore boats when this was built. He took pictures of the bridge being built from the boat. Amazing structure.

[@n8vmilk]

You scan them and send them to a university or historical preservation organization for future generations. Your father could even get a photo credit next to the display.

[@BruceBoschek]

I went on a trip to Canada with a group from my school in 1957. On the way up north we had to take the ferry. On the way home we got to go over the new bridge. What an amazing engineering achievement!

[@CoxBrothersMachining]

Wow!!

I was a personal friend of JC Stillwell,, he was a great guy, and wonderful stories of working on the Bridge...

[@riverfrontdetroit1]

Wow. Coming from the inner city born decades after they built this bridge I just want to say Thank You!

[@theconsultant8732]

My Grandmother grew up with the Brown Family in St. Ignace. She always had nice things to say about Prentis Brown Sr. He treated her kindly when she was a little girl growing up in St. Ignace.

[@joestocking]

Jr who is talking will be 98 in December.

[@mattmccullar9934]

There's an episode of "Dirty Jobs" featuring what it's like to maintain this bridge today. It shows host Mike Rowe climbing the cables to replace a warning light and squeezing through crawl spaces inside the towers, removing old paint and applying new paint.

[@edwardchascsa4191]

I've walked and driven across this bridge many times. It has always been enjoyable whether it was sunny, raining, snowing, blowing or icy. I have always looked at it as an adventure. I can't wait to do it again.

[@realoneamariyanna3282]

OMGGGGGGGG THANK YOU FOR MAKING MY DAY. I'm from a little small town about 15 mins south of the bridge and I had to move out west because of my health. I MISS BACK HOME SOOO MUCH 🤦‍♀️😭😭😭

[@richardtrudeau7363]

Levering or Carp Lake?

[@chrissatterwhite711]

Probably Indian river

[@campbub]

I walked the bridge when I was 4 years old.. I was scared out of my pants!! A really kind gentleman behind me would pick me up every time I had to walk across a grate 😂 Between him giving me hops, and my parents, I maybe walk a quarter 🤦🏻‍♂️ Love the bridge.. it stirs the soul!!

[@scottfirman]

My dad refused to ever drive across that bridge. I could never figure out why as kids we never went on vacation across it. Later in life he admitted he was scared of driving across it. Motorcycles can be trailered across and RV owners can have a bridge authority drive across for you. If you are afraid of heights, this bridge can be intimidating. I love it every time I go across.

[@shirleybalinski4535]

You can be driven across by Bridge authority personal. You place a call, they drive your vehicle. The service used to be free. There is a $10 charge,I believe, at present. They drove me. I have a fear of heights. I never liked that bridge even though I lived in the UP & crassed plenty of times. I'm 71yo.

[@Meinstein]

I have a friend who is also deathly afraid of crossing bridges. I've been across the Big Mac maybe a dozen times. I personally like to take the outer lane for the vies.. but if I were afraid of bridges.. all one needs to do is drive in the left lane and pretend it is a regular highway.. maybe going through a construction zone.. no one will rush you in the left lane on the bridge. Most of us enjoy the experience no matter which lane we take.. so speed is never an issue.

[@fireman1780]

Thank you to all who were involved with making this bridge a reality. Even though I live in Ohio, when I see this bridge it feels like home. I have been vacationing in Northern Michigan since I was 6. Im now 41. My family is on there 4th generation vacationing up there and my parents have a vacation home on Black Lake. My two favorite things are driving across the bridge and just standing there and looking at it and also Mackinac Island. When we bring friends to share our love of Michigan they too fall in love with it. Its just home even though I live 500 miles away.

[@judygersonde-bryant2001]

my father and grandfather were Iron Workers and helped build the Mackinaw Bridge. now there's some history that my family are part of

[@garyvandecar2580]

Same with my Grandpa and 2 Uncles his sons.

[@dennisandry1632]

We drove across n 2002 as part of our trip around Lake Michigan from Minneapolis to Chicago and back to Minneapolis. A trip we will never forget !!!

[@TheLittlered1961]

In 1972 my family did a similar trip. We took a car/train ferry from Milwaukee to Ludington MI. Up to Mackinaw Island, through Canada and back down through MN. If you ever do it again, you should check out the locks up there. Also check out the Grand Hotel on the island. I worked there in the early 80's. Do not stay there, to much money for a closet of a room.

[@justadbeer]

I remember one of the kids in my grade school brought in a newspaper for show-and-tell showing a picture of a truck going across the bridge and he proudly stated that his uncle drove the first truck when the bridge opened. When I was older and went to work as an Elevator constructor, one of the older fellows I worked with actually worked on the install of the elevators in the towers and in later years the company I worked for, Millar Elevator Co, designed new elevators and four of my co-worker buddies installed them in the winter of 1999 or maybe 2000. I remember riding my snowmobile out on the ice under the bridge that year

[@abk2k3aaronkauflin83]

Wow quite connected with are Big Mac I see

[@jamiegrennell3159]

My first time going over the bridge as an adult it was in a ambulance lol ....its beautiful if you ever get to Michigan it's a must. There's alot of history up there. I have been a michigander all my life and don't think I will ever move away. Snow is cold but its beautiful too, but spring,summer, and fall this is such a beautiful state.

[@jaybicknell1795]

My ironworker father worked it, as we watched it being built from grandparents place on north shore. I remember seeing lakers glide by just before they started. I was 6, and what a sight!

[@ridgec5670]

To think at some point someone had to go out into the open water and layout the spot and get the work started for the bases amazes me. Great video.

[@131dyana]

Amazing bridge and amazing men.

[@stonecoldfan3167]

I've always loved the mighty Mac ever since I was 7 it always fascinated me on just how large the structure was I never could wrap my head around the concept the splendid beauty it still carrys today and I'm 50 and I'm still awe struck how beautiful it is today.

[@bonniejohnson5483]

I am 71 yrs old in 2023. Visit it nearly every year. As a kid my dad pulled our travel trailer and camped next to the bridge on south end. Could walk and play under the bridge. Now the camp ground is gone and replaced with a beautiful park.

[@vheilshorn]

The first time I drove across was when the outside lanes were closed. I thought nothing of driving over it until I hit the grate and it felt like my rear wheels were on a sheet of ice. Every ounce of blood drained out of my head, my lips went numb and I had my first official panic attack right there in the middle of the Straits of Mackinac. Good times.

[@crocodile1313]

You are NOT alone in that feeling! I hate that grate even today!

[@donnajohnson6867]

ZZ Stop : My husband & I we’re on our way to a dog training camp just over the border between the U. P. & Wisconsin when our truck (loaded with camping gear & dogs) broke down in the center of the Mackinaw Bridge! I was TERRIFIED!

[@cliffscsstock5119]

@@donnajohnson6867 I understand...what horror!

[@servicarrider]

Probably a good thing you don't ride a Harley.

[@1bobini]

@@crocodile1313, It’s music to my ears. As soon as the steel grating left lane starts, I make sure to be in the left lane. It’s such an intense feeling.

[@V01t2]

Every summer, my sister and I would make the pilgrimage from Grand Haven to Baraga (lower to upper peninsula) to visit grandparents. She is truly a gorgeous bridge.

[@stantaylor3350]

My family was living in Alaska when the bridge was built. Although both of my parents were from the lower peninsula. We came out of Alaska in August of 1961 settling in the eastern U.P. about a mile west of the current I-75 on hwy M-28. That year we took the old 2 lane Mackinac trail to St. Ignace then got on I -75 to cross the bridge. It was a thrill for my mom, who told a story of how we'd crossed on the ferry when we went to Alaska in 1956 & they could see the progress on the bridge. I was a baby in diapers at that time. Then in May of 1962 they started working on completing I-75 to Sault Ste. Marie. They made a detour to the north of M 28 where the 4 lane was going to go & they started building the over pass. The detour later became part of the south bound off ramp & the north bound on ramp. I was only 7 & 8 yrs old. Being so close to the action I used to ride my bike over to the site & watch in the summer of 63. If my memory serves me right it was open to the public in early October of 1963. My dad worked on the pine River bridge , south of Rudyard, as a cement finisher in the summer of 1962. Our family crossed the MAC about 5-6 times a yr. Back then, with both sets of Grand parents down below the bridge ( trolls ) & all the relative. I was only neveous once & that was when I was 18, dad was letting my drive the cab over frieght liner for only the second time. I asked him if he wanted me to pull over & let him take it across. He asked me if I was afraid to, so being young & brave , I said no I'm not afraid to which he said well take it across. So I did, but I was nervous.

[@swamprat69er]

I've been across that bridge quite a few times in 1985, hauling freight.

[@michiganusapontiac7206]

Nice story thumbs up

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Now that's the stuff the young ones of today need to understand. Great story sir.

[@albeardsley5532]

My dad was from the UP and I still have very early memories of crossing the Straits on the ferry in the very early 50’s and later on crossing on the ‘Mighty Mac”. For some reason the Straits and the Bridge just fascinated me. I can still see the crossing in my memory and the summers visiting my grandmother who had a camp in Curtis on the UP. My mom only crossed the bridge twice that I recall and after that remain in Hillsdale/Hudson (MI) with her family while my dad, my brother and I went to Curtis. Such wonderful memories of that time.

[@whiskeymonk4085]

Yoopers!

[@jimsage1043]

Loved Manistique Lakes when I visited friends in Curtis

[@orlandofields1973]

Longer than Brooklyn and Golden Gate Bridges, what a underrated Bridge

[@donaldleavy4379]

The Brooklyn Bridge Isn’t Known For It’s Size..It Is Known As THE Most Beautiful .. And It Is.. BY FAR.. At One Time It Was Considered The Biggest.. Long long ago.. It’s Also in THE BEST City In The World.. the U P ...Yeah ok

[@donaldleavy4379]

They mentioned that it was longer than the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, but only at the anchors the Verrazano Narrows is 6 miles long OK I know we’re all very proud of Michigan and the UP. Or as they say in Michigan ooooo peeeee.. i’ve been over that bridge and just about every bridge in the country driving 2,000,000 miles over the road. Yeah I guess it’s nice up there but it’s not all that everybody cracks it up to be I promise you that the weather up there is deplorable that’s a fact so are you Michigan Uuuu Peeeers.. sorry to bust your bubble but there are other places in the world I know this is news to you people up there in the UP ,, Man and they are proud of the UP do youpee is the place to be up there it’s freaking ridiculous

[@michaelbayliss1794]

Hey Don , you sound like an " A hole ".

[@donaldleavy4379]

Michael Bayliss Hay Mike You’re A Douche Bag .. But You Knew This.. The real funny part is that you’re so proud of the fucking bridge it’s a fucking bridge but keep going on about it I guess if that’s all you got that’s all you got fucking morons

[@donaldleavy4379]

Charles Schroeder if YOU Think I Have anything to do with an antifa Then you’re exactly the fucking morons I was talking about by the way you must be one of them BLM fuck faces

[@nancyadcock4899]

Amazing structure! I live in Michigan and have crossed the bridge many times. Always makes me a bit nervous. It’s a miracle with an incredibly beautiful view. Love the Mighty Mac!

[@bobmiller9556]

Very well done. I went across on the ferries every summer for our annual UP vacation at a family camp near Gwinn. I was really excited going across the bridge for the first time in 1958! By the way, the best pasties are at Lehto's on US 2 (and now in St. Ignace as well). My family and I started stopping at Lehto's when they opened in 1947 when I was 4 yeas old. My mother would talk Finnish to Ms. Lehto as we were getting our order. We would drive to and picnic at the Cut River Bridge.

[@chrissatterwhite711]

I love cut river gorge ❤

[@jdc9528]

Yooper here.I have been back and forth over the bridge a handful of times.Great bridge,and great documentary video.

[@cynthiasmith4130]

The Mackinaw Bridge is just stunning!!!! It is just beautiful !!! Come to our State, you will just love it!!!!! 🌲🌲🌲🌲....

[@eysafares3265]

It's been estimated recently that it would cost about 763 million to build the same bridge. And the Engineers of today cant even give an estimate of how long it will take to build it. What an honor to drive on that bridge, and what an honor to live in Michigan

[@donaldleavy4379]

Oh Yeah It’s An Honor To Live In Michigan.I’ve been there many times and yes you people are very proud of Michigan do you know what you’re a little too fucking proud as a matter fact almost everyone I ever met from that fucking moron state is a fucking moron but you keep on being proud Michigan it’s an honor to live there... idiots can I hear your five hour story about the UP because I know all Michiganders Love to talk about the UP it’s like another planet or something it’s like Christmas New Year’s and every holiday rolled up into one just to talk about the UP and how great it is it’s great for animals and wildlife unless it’s hunting season of course because I know you love to kill animals up there in Michigan I know you love to kill animals up there you guys are good at that and you’re good about talking about the UP can you tell me a good story about the UP and how great it is because I haven’t heard like 500 of themBy the way the weather up there sucks like 11 months out of the year don’t forget to tell everybody that don’t forget to tell everybody how many times a year they have to close that freaking bridge because you can’t drive across it and how many hours or even days you may have to wait to get over that bridge yeah keep going Michigan tell me how great it is again and again and again and again because we know you love to talk about Michigan it’s the best place in the world home of the famous oh hell I don’t know is there anything famous that ever came out of Michigan except for Detroit,, and by the way the longest bridge in the United States suspension bridge anyway is the Verrazano Narrows I believe it’s almost 7 miles long the anchors on the mighty Mac yeah the mighty Mac you people are fucking retarded the mighty Mac ha ha Ha hey I guess a boy you got us a bridge to talk about go for it in New York we got Manny Manny Manny of them but it’s not something we are particularly proud of although there is a huge sentimental outpouring for the Brooklyn Bridge once a year and it’s very well-deserved I think it’s just a tad older than your mighty Mac and probably the most beautiful bridge in the world. And it’s not close like five hours a day 200 days a year or whatever the fuck it is up there in the UP boy do you People love the UP I know y’all love to bullshit about the UP all day do you P this do you P that.. God bless you I guess you should be proud after all you invented the you P If it wasn’t for Michigan there would be no you pee now that I think about it so thank God Michigan is there to remind us every day 1000 times a that the UP is in Michigan.. were you in on the building of the UP. Because I know Michigan built a UP and Michigan owns The UP .. Man oh man got a love that you pee...I do thank you Michigan for bringing the UP to the world where would we be without it & the mighty Mac of course oh boy

[@eysafares3265]

@@donaldleavy4379 😂 you are clearly bothered. What a sad fool lol

[@donaldleavy4379]

Eysa Fares yeah yeah yeah.. at least I’m not in da oooo peeee I’d kill my self

[@duaneroepke8840]

@@donaldleavy4379 such a shame

[@trumpet_boooi]

Donald Leavy they could build another bridge with all those words dang

[@mikeoconnell8377]

As a retired Ironworker I can't wait to drive over it on my Harley or with the wife and kids...it would be a dream trip

[@travelerinforadiofan9566]

The narrator and producer of this documentary is also the voice of the AM bridge radio station 530/1610 AM.

[@johnvrabec9747]

My wife and I had done the Bridge Walk in the mid 1990's a few times, then moved to Arizona in 2000 from Chicago. Last year, to celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we walked it with my brother and sister in law, who had never walked it before. It's still a special activity in our lives and we hope to walk it at least one more time before we get too old lol We would get a pizza from Mama Mia's and eat at Kenville's before they moved to St.Ignace and then eventually closed. The Straits are my favorite place to go, and the best memories in my life were from there.

[@bicyclist2]

Same.

[@richardtrudeau7363]

Kernville had the best Chicken dinners.

[@chrissatterwhite711]

Mama Mia’s had a fire like 10 or so years ago and it’s still there but not the same. It’s not nearly as good as it used to be and the atmosphere is gone since they had to remodel 😢

[@frederickandersen8284]

I'm from Petoskey, and I remember as a kid wandering through the parking lot for vehicles waiting for the ferry. I remember looking at all the Deer draped across car fenders.

[@jerryfriday8619]

My Father in law and his sons and a bunch of friends worked on the bridge.

[@humanbraininrobotbod]

I grew up in the area. My mom told me that during deer hunting season, cars waiting for the ferry would line up from Mackinaw City to Cheboygan, 15 miles away. The locals would go up and down the line and sell sandwiches, coffee and beer to the hunters.

[@michiganusapontiac7206]

Michigan is great

[@abienk8613]

Hopefully they didnt have an abnormally warm day waiting 20 hours with a deer strapped to the hood

[@humanbraininrobotbod]

@@abienk8613 Good point, I'm sure some local would "help" them with that!

[@tymesho]

BEST documentary of the Mighty Mac this old Michigander has ever seen. Funny/informational/compelling story here! Finished the year I was born; it's been awe inspiring EVERY TIME (80-100) I've crossed her. The last couple have been "No top, no doors" grandpa" in my Jeep, the very BEST way to do it! Imagine, a little more than 40 months to build? The radio station describing it as you cross is ALWAYS a treat as well! Last, my Pops and grandfather, after she was built, LOVED to cuss out the trips laughingly every time on our hunting trips because of the wait time early on with the ferry's.

[@sammorex2543]

The narrator and producer of the 1996 film "Building the Mighty Mac" is Mark Howell. His voice may sound familiar because he also is the voiceover who did the spiels for the Mackinac Bridge AM radio broadcast you tune into when crossing the bridge. Also some of the same music instrumentation heard in this is used on the radio spiel (the music heard from 0:10 to 1:13 and from 51:26 to 52:29 is what you hear as background music when you listen to that).

[@eperks6]

One of the coolest landmarks of our state, it’s even featured on one of our license plates!

[@kenzor9138]

Both of my grandfathers started out at copper harbor as miners. I grew up eating pasties often. I still love them.

[@paulh7589]

My oldest Brother was born in May 1957. My Parents took him over the bridge shortly after that. I think that is pretty cool. I'm the youngest out of six. I was born in 1965. Been across the bridge countless times to enjoy the U.P. You would not understand it if you have never been there. I think it is pretty neat that my Brother was among the first to cross. Just bring mosquito repellant. Lots of mosquito repellant. Did I mention mosquito repellant? If you think you have enough, buy more and damn near bathe in it. Squirt it in your ears. No kidding. Summer in the U.P. is wonderful if you do this. It will be awful if you don't. Late summer is not that bad. Early and mid- summer the mosquitos and black flies will ruin your experience if you don't take precautions. Nothing in the woods or lakes is out to kill you like here on the Gulf Coast. But the damn insects will drive you crazy in the Upper Peninsula.

[@metalted6128]

Fantastic video!! As a Michigan resident my entire 53 yrs. Thank you!! Awesome video

[@samfrancisco8095]

I was born in New Jersey but am a UPer at heart due to my Father, Michigan Tech 41 Chem Engr, and relatives from Laurium/Calumet, MI. I've taken the ferry and bridge on summer vacation trips from NJ as a kid by car to spend time with my "Nanny" whose house was on Osceola Street. I vote for Toni's Country Kitchen Pasties on 3rd St and Kearsarge as the best Pastie in the UP.

[@michiganusapontiac7206]

Nice

[@AlexLopez-hj7jb]

I plan to go sometime. I just need to plan it. Its awesome to see brave engineers get together to build such an amazing landmark

[@DirectorBird]

Have you gone yet?

[@jibblesq]

Just start driving, man.

[@scottclute9547]

What a gorgeous state Michigan...raised there during my adolscense.!!! Loved it!!!

[@bicyclist2]

Same.

[@garyvandecar2580]

Born and raised in Michigan, But have lived my last 40 years in Central Florida.

[@steel5886]

Great American story , adding to my bucket list to visit ..Thank You Dennis Travis for sharing

[@MrVikingrev]

I have always been proud of my connection to the Mac Bridge. I was playing in the Cheboygan HS band when Gov. Williams broke ground,; worked on the Vacationland its last summer of operation ('57) but was in college (Adrian) by Nov. 1st when the bridge opened. By the time it was dedicated in June of the following year, I was in US Army basic training. As a final punctuation, I came from California and played in a combined Cheboygan-Mackinaw City band concert with my best friend from HS (Jon Raville) in the shadow of Big Mac sometime around 2001. Full circle?

[@davidzitzman6511]

The most beautiful bridge in the world.

[@californiamade5608]

No

[@talesfromanoldmanpatoneal6372]

Well.... That was just an outstanding documentary.

[@jerryfriday8619]

A pasty is some thing really good.

[@imagereader_9]

I noticed that the middle of the road is grating and not paved. No doubt that came about as a result of what happened to the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge. With its shallow solid plate girder side supports and solid paved road it was easy for even moderate winds to get the bridge rising and falling until 4 months after it opened it twisted, heaved and rolled finally collapsing. When its replacement was built not only was an open truss support frame used but grating strips run the length of the middle of each lane to equalize the pressure. The designers of the MM must have seen that as a good idea!

[@richardtrudeau7363]

Also for Snow removal.Plow the solid side into the grating down to the Lake.

[@andyharman3022]

I've lived in Michigan for about 40 years, yet I've never had a pastie. I've been across the Mac many times, towing travel trailers in the wind and cold of winter. They say 20 mph for high profile vehicles. They mean it. Just relax and and enjoy the trip across, because you aren't going to do it fast. Running on the steel grate in the inner lanes feels kind of creepy. Going across the bridge with little visible means of support feels a little like flying.

[@margot64fern]

My hands sweat driving over the Mac! That’s a me thing. But I loved this. I could almost see my 6th grade teacher wheeling in the projector, putting the reels on the pins and turning off the lights :)

[@kelleybrown1666]

It's a wonderful bridge that any major city would want.

[@mikegroat7732]

Back in the late 1980's, me and a buddy were going to the big car show in St. Ignace. He had a Ford Bronco on 40" tires. That thing wandered on a normal road and he was afraid to drive it over, so I drove it, being all cocky. OMG, when we got out there, I realized the tires were taller than the guard rails and the wind pushed us all over!!!! I drove on the grates at about 30mph all the way across!!!!!

[@jimmcdiarmid7308]

As a kid our family crossed on the Vacationland ferry a few times and couldn’t wait to drive over the bridge. I know it was 1953 and 1955 on the ferry, but can’t remember the year we crossed on the bridge, maybe 1967.

[@lh9140]

Im in awe every time I see bridge.

[@wendymariehowe-besherse1030]

I been over that bridge many times as a child and driven over it as an adult . beautiful ßite to see God sure knew what he was doing .❤

[@HappiestGirl69]

THANK YOU to all of those GIANT men! As a native Michigander who has lived and vacationed on both sides of that gorgeous bridge all of my life, I have so much emotion over that bridge that I’m crying like a baby while watching this doc. Are there any giant men left in the world today? I can’t think of anything that comes close to what those men did.

[@johnsquire8169]

I did the labor day bridge walk in 1996. It was just butiful to watch the sun rise over the lake Huron side of the straits.

[@wiibaron]

There probably is no other giant span bridge that blends as beautifully into its locale than Mighty Mac does.

[@donaldleavy4379]

wiibaron Yeah OK I guess you’ve never been to New York City at night I know you’re from Michigan and that’s the best place in the world but you could take my word for it there are other places in the world besides Michigan I know people from Michigan don’t realize that there are other places in the world but really there are. Do you get any news or TV up there? If you watch the news or TV or listen to the radio you would learn that there are actually other places in the world I’m not kidding and some of them way more beautiful than Michigan I promise to you I promise you check it out look around this 49 other freaking states out here..And again I realize if you’re from Michigan you didn’t know they were other states you thought that was the only place in the world but there are other places in the world I assure you glad I could help

[@davidelliott5843]

There’s something about the lines of a suspension bridge. They just look right.

[@fredscribner3688]

The 12.9 km Confederation Bridge joining New Brunswick to PEI looks cleaner and less obstructive with views of the ocean on both sides.

[@tommypetraglia4688]

The Brooklyn Bridge has entered the chat... since 1888 Hand dug by sandhogs beneath the East River, towers of limestone and granite

[@joshuabennett5891]

@@donaldleavy4379.......I've seen NYC at night, full of rats, roaches, needles, crack pipes and other various creatures of the night. But yeah, it's very beautiful with all those buildings and bridges.

[@davidcarter3144]

I remember staying at the hotel in Mackinac City that sat right by the bridge. It was so cool to see it everyday. And also to go across into the U.P.

[@thadschaeffer2563]

Definitely an engineering marvel. I get all giddy inside when I cross the Mighty Mac. It is so nice to look over to Mackinac Island and take in all the natural beauty.

[@johnspradling7906]

What a great video! It communicates the spirit of good will and positivity that made such a huge pioneering effort successful. The creators of the bridge also gave credit to God, which likely would not happen as I write this in 2019.

[@aartmark]

I have a problem with hights but I've driven across the Mighty Mac several times. I found that if you just keep your eyes on the road and the traffic and don't look towards the sides, stay in an inside lane and try to image that you're not way above water you'll be OK. That sounds complicated but it's not.

[@michiganusapontiac7206]

Lol that's good few people I talk to say the same thing lol nice

[@saphirus1able]

Great advice! I do the very same thing too - driving over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

[@aartmark]

@@saphirus1able I've done that there too. There's also a long high bridge in Savanah, Georgia too. Woooweee!

[@jdoyle7768]

I still remember watching this as a kid on wcmu channel 14 out of mt pleasant. Doesnt get old

[@michiganusapontiac7206]

Yes it's like 100 years gos fast

[@TyDomi]

I’ve worked on draw bridges overpasses pedestrian bridges railroad bridges The new Blue water and Ambassador Bridge and finally I was lucky enough to get on the Mac !!! Sandblasting and painting! What a thrill and an honor!

[@finallyfriday.]

Ever notice, regardless of which direction you are driving, life and the world around you really seems to markedly change as you cross it? Anyone else feel this?

[@scottsdale4899]

When I get to the St Ignace side I am instantly at peace. Stress and worries float away!

[@finallyfriday.]

@@scottsdale4899 This sounds corny but when I cross north it feels like the good old days. It could be 1950 or 60 or who knows.

[@richardtrudeau7363]

Yea going into the UP.

[@railgap]

No.

[@garyvandecar2580]

My Grandpa and his 2 sons my Uncle Cal and Jack helped build the Mighty Mac in the middle 1950's.

[@Gator-357]

I spent most of my teenage years driving across the Mac on trips up to Michiganfor family reunions when we would go up to the Soo and Mackinac Island

[@monumentstosuffering2995]

The noblest and most beneficial of structures.

[@deeexxx8138]

At last, I found a real documentary about this magnificent bridge!. You Tube "influencers" should study this to see how it's done

[@Flatwoodsdad]

Just crossed it 1 months ago. Family spent a day swimming in the crystal clear waters of the Straights too.

[@vheilshorn]

I've tried the pasties a few times up in Mackinac. Like a hot pocket with potatoes. Not bad.

[@bobmiller9556]

@Daniel Pearce A UP 7 course dinner is a pasty and a 6 pack of beer!

[@packingten]

@@bobmiller9556 Isn't there TWO Pasties??.🤪

[@CoxBrothersMachining]

Pasties down by St. Ignace are not as good as Keweenaw Style. They taste more like a homemade pot pie in a burrito form factor with pie crust instead of tortilla.

[@callaghanbrakepads6823]

Pasties are so delicious! Without rhubarb imo. When my Grandma made them she didn't use gravy either so my taste buds got used to just ketchup n mustard.

[@mattmiotke175]

Each and every time I come home to the UP and I see the the bridge sitting there in the straights, I think, "home", I am home.

[@guymerritt4860]

Thanks very much for this upload - very interesting.

[@neilballantyne7077]

I went across the Mighty Mac in the early 90's we went on a trip from Manitoulin Island to Mackinaw island. what an experience to cross her,

[@colombo640]

Thanks a lot. This is very informative and helpful. All best.

[@gabemiller4882]

Great documentary😉😉😍😍👍👍👍 of The Bridge of Mackinaw! It amazing how many worker's built this bridge! There so much , I didn't know about the bridge! My family and I cross it so many times to go camping in the U.P. Thank you for this video 😉!

[@jimsvideos7201]

What a remarkable collection or scenes and stories.

I was friends with JC Stillwell, he was so interesting to talk to about the bridge...

[@dwightblubaugh601]

Was? Does that mean he has passed? Was very honored to meet him one Labor Day and get a couple pictures with him.

Passed away 2013 age of 84

[@christhomas5898]

My best drives across that bridge were And on my Motorcycle The sun was setting just as I was crossing. Driving on those grates looking down. And winds so strong you had to lean into the wind, then when you passed a tower remembering to stop leaning for that split second !!!! The winds were so high we heard they shut it down just after us crossing. Fun times !!!! 😊

[@ifyoutip]

I have been escorted over this bridge a few times. A very nice bridge.

[@lukepeita7026]

The mighty sure took care of the overloaded ferry crossing 👍😀

[@Kevinwayne199]

That fellow climbing the cable with the flag about gave me a heart attack with his fake slipping.

[@rickburke6074]

I was on the Big Mac back in September 89. The day a Yugo got blown off the bridge. Windy day

[@Pepper_-ho4yq]

I love that the guy on the AM station is narrating this

[@artil6790]

Proud to be a Michigander

[@stevewhalen6973]

Such a lovely bridge 👍

[@johnnyhensler]

God Bless These People 🇺🇸

[@granskare]

it was a scary bridge to cross at times. I have postcard images of the ferries. Madelyn's in the Ishpeming has the best pasties.

[@vanceharmon3481]

Truly amazing. It's a shame that so many artificial obstacles have been put in the way of progress sense then. If it wasn't for technology advances not much would get built like this bridge.

[@johnnyhensler]

Thank You For Sharing ❤️