Climbing To Top Of Mackinac Bridge

[@margaretpatterson5823]

I just happened upon this. Amazing piece, and from someone that is scared of heights and tight spaces, this was terrifying! When you did the vertical shot directly down to the roadway below, I literally gasped so loudly, that I frightened my cats. This was a terrific story! I’m so glad I saw it. Thank you!

[@johngolden891]

I agree entirely, Margaret. Just driving over this bridge successfully would be a great achievement for me.

[@cynthiasmith4130]

What a work of art!!!!!! The Big Mac is mighty !!!!! It is just beautiful... Come to our State, you will love it!!! 🌲🌲🌲....

[@carleenprachar2393]

I was Blessed and got to go to the top of the MIGHTY MAC, I have to say I loved it, I would love to do it again one day. I was lucky enough o have my 3 sons working on painting renovation of the bridge and a future daughter in law employed by the bridge authority. You guessed it my husband and myself got a first hand private trip of over an hour visit up top. AWSOME!

[@marblox9300]

Wouldn't catch me up there on that tower. I'm stayin down here.

[@Handsolo313]

Gephyrophobia,Acrophobia, and Claustrophobia all in one place.😅

[@unisonosc1617]

and submechanophobia from the water surface level. LOL

[@DestinyPowers-rz4lf]

your right and im terrified of heights. i wish I wasn't

[@tebigman65]

The bridge is really a wonderful place to visit and the work is simply amazing ! Thanks for sharing.

[@juliamayes8004]

I have traveled over the Mighty Mack in many ways. I've walked on it, been under it and I've been over it. My dad had an airplane and we used to fly over it and land on Mackinaw Island and spend the day and then fly home. It is awesome and I never get tired of it, I look forward to going up north every summer and travel over it and go up where the upper's live. I am proud that I live in the State of Michigan.

[@rwestaby]

We're all fortunate to live here.

[@yourtubesteak]

I would love to do this! The UP is so beautiful.

[@etmccaus]

Great segment. The claustrophobia would do me in before the height ever would...

[@rwestaby]

Thanks for watching, Evan. It's one of the coolest things I've gotten to do.

[@uralbob1]

I love that bridge! As a little boy, growing up in Michigan the 1960s, I loved the U.P. and the bridge. It seemed at the time to be an exotic, magical place! Even though I almost died crossing the bridge at night on my motorcycle in 1972, I'm excited every time I cross this beauty! Crossing the bridge on a motorcycle is one cool experience!

[@rodrudinger9902]

I'm curious about your 1972 experience; if you don't want to share it, though; I fully understand.

[@debrachampagne7715]

Yes , please tell us

[@uralbob1]

@@debrachampagne7715 I’m happy to relay my experience, but it’s nothing special. After my graduation in June, I took the summer off on my Kawasaki motorcycle to tour the U.P. and Ontario before reporting to the Navy in Sept. I was eager to cross the bridge on my motorcycle. With family at Indian Lake, I stayed for a week at their home, then took off for Escanaba, Lake of the Clouds, Keewenaw Peninsula, Marquette, Whitefish Bay, the falls, and Germfask where my little cousin drowned at six years of age. Then on to the Soo Locks. Three + weeks in, I was in Sault St. Marie, Canada about midnight when I suddenly realized I was nearly broke (young, dumb kid disease). There was barely enough money for gas to get home near Lansing. Anyway, I decided to head South. About three or so in the morning, there was the Mighty Mackinaw! I’d never crossed it at night before. The air was cool and crisp, and without another car in sight, it was really exiting. Speeding along at about 60mph, the view of the towers and the blackness below was amazing. We were “flying”! Suddenly, just inside the north tower, my left arm collided violently with something that tore my hand from the handlebar. The bike went into a wild tank slapper and I was all over the two lanes, very nearly dumping the bike on the grating lane. Finally regaining control, I looked back to see a bridge maintenance truck parked in the middle lane with huge flashing arrows telling you to go around. I never saw it! Figuring I’d hit the truck’s rear view mirror with my arm, I started shaking with fright knowing how close I’d come to becoming fish food as my body slid along the “cheese grater” lane. As the south end of the bridge appeared, all I wanted to do was get off the bike. The first exit had an open donut shop, and I pulled in. It felt as though my arm had been pulled out of it’s socket. It was extremely painful but I didn’t even care. I ordered coffee, but was shaking so badly that sucking the coffee out of the cup as it sat on the counter was the only way to drink it. I was very angry with myself for being so stupid, and my arm was really killing me by now. The ride home seemed an eternity with my left arm lying on my lap most of the way. The next day, the arm was black from my shoulder to my elbow, and I wore long sleeve shirts so my mom wouldn’t see it! God gave me a free lesson that night. I’ll never forget it.

[@debrachampagne7715]

@@uralbob1 thanks for sharing. What a scary experience , glad every thing turned out good I also know Escanaba, as my parents grew up I'm Menominee Mich. 50 miles from Green Bay Wisc. We went up there summers for vacation, off course crossing the mighty Mac. Thanks 4 story

[@uralbob1]

@@rodrudinger9902 Rod, you can read about my experience below. Thank sincerely for your interest!

[@kiaravenus]

who lives in Michigan or lived

[@kittiehoward9708]

I live 45ish minutes away from the mackinac bridge

[@Michael-eg3hc]

kara Verville me

[@DaBerger21]

From the U.P. here.... Escanaba, MI

[@deanheath8022]

Michigander here. Been over the Bridge 100's of times. Always beautiful!!

[@oaklandeas]

I live in Atlanta, near Alpena

[@carolemerckel3461]

Nice addition to the Mike Rowe "Dirty Jobs" segment where he does Maintenance work on the bridge. Recently crossed it on a vacation trip to the Pictured Rocks.

[@rodrudinger9902]

Northern Michigan is beautiful, drove up the Huron Coast, on U.S. 23, then down U.S. 31, to Sleeping Bear Dunes N.L. but unfortunately, didn't have time to see much. Spent the night in Traverse City; then cut over to I-75, and crossed The Bridge, then went up to see Taquemenon Falls, and west, to Miner's Castle, and Munising, before driving down M-35, along Lake Michigan; to Menonmonee, and crossing into Wisconsin. Would love to have seen much more!

[@firstsergeantdeline6214]

Been there, done that. Had the opportunity to go to the top of the North tower when I was in the National Guard. Had a meeting with the Bridge Authority for the Labor day bridge walk and was offered the chance to go up to the top of the bridge. I hate heights, but knew there would NEVER be another chance. I have pictures of me taken on top of the tower. What a wonderful experience.

[@rjdatdude23]

Who cares

[@ridgec5670]

@@rjdatdude23 I care! And you must be jealous and care because you took the time to type a dumb remark!

[@rjdatdude23]

Ridge C you don’t care buddy. Admit it 😭

[@ridgec5670]

@@rjdatdude23 I care, and I actually love him for it.

[@bf1255]

I simply couldn’t do it, good on you man

[@GreenDawn8993]

Rob....Incredible images and video photography ! That vertical view looking straight down was 'Gulp' a 'White Knuckle' experience....as I am an Acrophobia type of person. The elevator and passage through the 'Knee Knockers' did not bother me though; it was really a revelation into the engineering and fabrication of the Towers. W O W.....a 30 mile Panoramic view from that vantage point at 552 feet above the water level ! Thanks for the excellent documentary !

[@rwestaby]

You're very kind.

[@MrMarvac]

Most of us appreciate the Mackinac Bridge from the road. This view gives a definitely different perspective!

[@SSanscraintenotaboat]

Beautiful. Ive been on top the space Needle in Seattle. Some stunning scenery up there. But take my money please to get a chance to get on top the Mac. Many thanks to the men and women who maintain this masterpiece. R.I.P. to those who gave their lives building it.

[@nprlisten]

Holy crap, my hands were sweating watching this. Not sure how you managed to climb up with such massive cajones.

[@one7decimal2eight]

nprlisten he took an elevator most of the way and climbed a little. not too bad really. go watch someone scaling a cell phone tower. that takes balls. this climb was not scary at all.

[@rockerjacob33]

Miss my home state being stationed here in Germany. Only so long till I come back home!!

[@dknowles60]

It will be over in no time

[@FnDAssemblies]

Thanks for your service

[@debrachampagne7715]

Sprechen Sie Deutsche?

[@leeriffee4606]

My husband got to go to the top of one of the towers on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland many years ago. It also has a small elevator but I don't know if he had to climb thru the structure like the guy in this video. The only reason he was able to do that was because he knew someone who had a job painting the bridge (there is no public access). He said it was very windy that day and he could feel the tower swaying! Worse yet, the area where you could stand was only about 28" wide and he had to tether himself to the structure to avoid being blown off. That would be a totally awesome thing to be able to do either way!

[@philthomas8351]

Live near the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. But the Might Mack is one of my favorite bridges, along with the Golden Gate Bridge. Kudos to the Reporter who climbed to the top!

[@jeremy28135]

Fears: heights, claustrophobia. So nope

[@coolbreeze5561]

That bridge is awesome, however if I ended up, at the top. I would vomit then fall. LOL I'll stick with driving across. Did that on motorcycle, in a car, 18 wheeler semi and a 11 axle semi also drove a oversized load across the bridge had to have escort for that. Love it!

[@man_on_wheelz]

Chicagoan here, my brother and I decided to take a spontaneous trip around Lake Michigan after just a few days prior me even realizing there was a way to cross from the UP to the rest of Michigan. Initially it was just going to be a trip to the UP because no one ever talks about it but one person told me it was beautiful, I wanted to see for myself. Like I said, a few days prior to the trip I realized this bridge exists. So we took the drive, and we crossed that bridge... man, a truly amazing experience, now I wanna go back and climb it! This looks amazing and terrifying at the same time!

[@msuaok]

I thought I saw a massive crack in the wall of one of the cells at 2:31 into the video! They better fix it.... quick!

[@Sawlon]

Yikes! I'm so afraid of heights!

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

I've sat parked in a semi on this bridge. There was construction, so I had to wait... Yes, you can feel the bridge flex and move as traffic passes you. (Traveling in the opposite direction. Even more so if there is a loaded semi. Not a half ton truck with a camper, although if they are driving fast....yes you can tell). It's an odd feeling. OBEY THE SPEED LIMIT!

[@jpeterso52]

Saw this on FB this morning... this is what we cross everytime we go to my parents! Unbelievable...

[@wilburlds]

I have walked the bridge three times on the labor day walks. That's good enough for me.

[@rwestaby]

Yeah, Kenneth, I walked it Labor Day 2012. I'm hoping to walk it again this year.

[@wilburlds]

Robb Westaby its a great activity. We hope to do it this year again.

[@wilburlds]

Kenneth Little oops.i said we walked 3 years. It was 4 years 2007 2009 2011 2013. The walks get better every time we go.

[@debrachampagne7715]

How long does it take to walk across?

[@jojojo6147]

My palms are sweaty after watching this.

[@chrisdaniel5004]

Zip Line that high would be awesome !

[@ryanellsworth1985]

This is on my bucket list

[@davidc.w.2908]

I regularly drive over it with only 20mph. I love the views from the ground level! I won’t go up 😱

[@jmoriarty9081]

Having a phobia of bridges, I almost tossed my cookies when you leaned over. Now I'm going to have the heebie jeebies the rest,of the night😨😱

[@rwestaby]

You'll never take the earth for granted again. I am glad to be of service.

[@matthewgillespie2835]

Just waiting for James Kingston to climb up on the green cables

[@rodrudinger9902]

I could never do it, my "acrophobia" would be going nuts. I have been up in the American Insurance Union Citadel (now, the Leveque-Lincoln Tower, in Columbus), which is at about the same height (the Observation Floor is now closed), where, on a clear day; you can see an estimated 40 miles ( Marion, to the north, Soringfield, west; Chillicothe, south, and all of Buckeye Lake, east); so I Inagine the Panoramic view, from the top of either tower, but especially, the North Tower, must be spectacular! Too bad there's no observation deck; they could probably make a lot of money with that, too. I couldn't do it, though. The A.I.U. Citadel is officially 555.5 feet tall, and the observation floor was two floors above the tops of the cupolas, located at each corner of the Tower, 34 stories, I think, above street level. When it was built, it was 6 inches higher than the Washington Monument, and the tallest building, between New York City, and Chicago.

[@meloncholy413]

I have agoraphobia really bad and I can’t handle anything that open spaces or high! Haha… watching this video almost sent me into a panic but I wanted to see if I could watch it without getting scared.

[@emgee118]

omfg it looks like fun but i was cringing just watching you guys look over the edge

[@ManifestedSonofTheMostHigh23]

this is so beautiful. thank you for this wow! :)

[@nealfry2230]

" I'll Always Love 💘 you Kaya Klitschko " " Your's Always Lovingly, kinda like an Uncle Neal P J. Fry from The Great Lakes State of Michigan.

[@brettbrock702]

I've crossed it too many time under it driving over it I love the city and the brudge

[@jazmariposa]

Wild, just wild. I've been over it in cars, but never to the top. Wow!

[@CountryWilly]

I get scared standing on a kitchen chair nice view but nope

[@casemoney5817]

Oh nah I can watch from the ground or the beach

[@jmhart5248]

Absolutely awesome. Would love to do that.

[@waterfowlmark]

hell yeah.....tell me thou, how does one qualify for director of operations?? don't recall seeing that in the help wanted ads...LOL

[@jaylarsondpm]

What is the music? Awesome video!!

[@logancasey432]

Already done it i got a ticket and took my sister she puked over the edge XD

[@highwaymaintainer]

I’m petrified of heights and water and tight spaces……..I’m f*cked

[@moeseck7792]

Back in 2011, I drove a chemical tanker across the Mackinac and was promptly pulled over. I didn't know that chemical tankers weren't allowed on the bridge 😏

[@chocloditelensman]

wow, this is incredible...I would love to go inside of it.

[@rwestaby]

I can highly recommend the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk, where you can walk the length of the bridge. I did it last year, and I'm doing it again this year.

[@chocloditelensman]

so did I -- for the last several years ! It's awesome !

[@exercising]

THIS PROVES THE EARTH IS ROUND

[@chrisbarr959]

although the earth is round. The curve in the horizon is due to the wide angle lense the camera is using

[@californiamade5608]

@@chrisbarr959 the curve on the bridge is natural 😑

[@akivatalansky]

The Verrezano Bridge in NY is much taller. 693 feet. And sometimes they let people go up there. NYPD Special Ops. go up there for counterterrorism exercises.

[@deanheath8022]

Can't compare to THE BIG MAC!

[@californiamade5608]

The Golden Gate Bridge is 746 feet tall. And is what the mighty Mac tried to be. She’s 20 years older and was a game changer for bridges. Ain’t nothing compared to her at her time. An international landmark, attracting over 10 million visitors in one year. The most visited bridge in world.

[@samreilly9280]

Aye, I grew up with that bridge!

[@maryvalentine6388]

Went to the top. It was fantastic.

[@pnewc99]

Happy Birthday, Annie!

[@dpliskow]

Why wouldn’t you point out the land masses at which we’re looking?

[@rwestaby]

Frankly, I was so awed, I didn't think of it, and I should have.

[@lensmith3702]

Dan, They are on top the southern tower. If you see the other tower, you are looking at the U.P. If you see no tower, you are looking at mackinaw city with Bois Blanc Island to the left.

[@tracyeikner6018]

Awesome!!

[@dustinfredrickson8488]

I've been on top of that I'll like it it's fun nice view up there very beautifull

[@skullduggery3377]

wonder how many have base jumped?

[@edgough9539]

Did the climb back in May, 2016, was great, would do it again in a heartbeat

[@davidlutsyk9235]

That is a lot of rust! That bridge needs to be smoothed and painted if they want It to last!

[@chrisbarr959]

They are always painting it all year long

[@rwestaby]

This year, the towers are getting total repaint job. When we visited (5 years ago), the bridge deck and supports were getting done. Thanks for watching!

[@dknowles60]

@@chrisbarr959 they use to be laid off in the winter is that still the case

[@chrisbarr959]

@@dknowles60 not sure, You may be right i didn't know they laid them off in the winter , It makes sense though those winds are brutal during the winter even on a calm day

[@dknowles60]

@@chrisbarr959 i might be out of date. i have not live in michigan since 1996

[@aerohydra3849]

Wow never knew there was an elevator in there...

[@jiesong7069]

I shall be more comfortable to be on an airplane or on a helicopter with the solid support below me than climbing so high to the top of a bridge. Jie Song, comfortably in my hotel room 225 in the hotel of Super 6 in Pensacola in Florida, on 2022 June 30th At 5:07.

[@mariewagner5283]

You would never catch me doing that. But cool video though.

[@patrickrancourt4782]

I want to climb this magnificent "" Michigan proudly "" Gr8 Gr8 bridge !!!!!

[@duanenewstead3282]

I'm 30 miles from the bridge. Would love to climb the Mighty Mac.

[@mrdovie47]

Does anyone know how far it is from tower top to top and then from the center of the base of each tower to the other. The paper plans don't show the curve of the Earth, but the actual measurements should show a longer distance at the top for both towers to be level.

[@dukecraig2402]

The Verrazano Narrows Bridge towers are 1 /58 th" wider at the top and it's towers are 4,260 ft apart, the Macs' towers are 3,800 ft apart. Using the numbers we have and cross multiplying and dividing, which is perfectly applicable because the curvature of the earth is relatively the same at their respective latitudes, would give us 1.449" or 1 7/16" as the closest measurement on a tape measure. And take it from an ironworker, everything may be designed with slide rules but it's built with tape measures.

[@mrdovie47]

@@dukecraig2402 Thanks!

[@bellemyjade686]

Can you imagine the bridge collapsing while you are in the the steel cells??? I need a Xanax just thinking about it...

[@withlove1111]

Doing this on Tuesday ..... can't wait

[@Nefferrug]

How was it?

[@withlove1111]

Awesome ... do it again in a heartbeat

[@donolsen1103]

Interesting. One more marvel of engineering accomplishment.

[@pearsonchuck]

I was getting claustrophobic just watching. Wonder how much it swayed?

[@rwestaby]

No sway at all. It was designed to be very rigid in stiff winds: 2,500 cells inside each tower. The design was by the bridge expert to tried to warn officials in Washington state that the Tacoma Narrows Bridge was flawed. The rest is history.

[@pearsonchuck]

That's an awesome design

[@rogersjosh91]

Where can I buy tickets

[@shanerobert2032]

At 4:05 the cables disappear 😮

[@1nhman]

Thanks, I will pass.

[@shadymaint1]

Ive been to the top of the north tower. You wouldnt believe the view.

[@jiesong7069]

It is interesting to see this video. Simply fly a sightseeing plane to fly around. Jie Song, 2022 June 30th At 5:02.

[@carolefarris1557]

I love the Mighty Mac

[@Zyggurat]

So... I wonder what it would take to get permission to walk between the spans along one of the cables? THAT is something I'd love to do! :-)

[@hazel_fire7694]

Way better than the goldin gate

[@rwestaby]

Really? Thanks for watching!

[@californiamade5608]

Haha yeah no it’s not .. you wish. The Golden Gate bridge is the most visited bridge in the world and it’s way more famous than Mackinac. There’s just no comparison. The Golden Gate bridge is 20 years older and it was a game changer for its time and nothing compared to it.

[@davidbrothers6043]

I'm never going in anything called the South tower or north tower for that matter that like going up in a plane called the challenger

[@trainman071]

i would like info on tour info please let me know

[@rwestaby]

Such tours are occasionally made available to media. The Bridge Authority told me they provide a limited number of tours each year to charities to auction off at fund raising events. Otherwise, the tours are not available.

[@damedog19]

Awe, I thought they were gonna have him climbing up the cables like Mike Rowe

[@andrewd.6538]

I was just going to say that!

[@thomasgradwell4958]

I saw someone walking on the green edging of it once

[@hughwhaley3179]

Love it

[@markceciljr1354]

Tight spaces...not a problem, leaning over the railing...screw that

[@b3j8]

I know I'll prob be kidded about this, but I cannot stand to drive over this great bridge! Don't ask why, it just gives me a major case of vertigo every time! I'm sure I could easily WALK across the damn thing, and probably go to the top since I normally have no fear of heights. But drive over it at 50mph ...nope.

[@rwestaby]

You aren't alone. In fact, the Mackinac Bridge Authority provides a service where they drive your vehicle over the bridge for you. I believe you can call them for info: www.mackinacbridge.org/

[@b3j8]

Robb Westaby Thank you, good to know. My wife did the driving there last trip around. LOL She doesn't tease me about it...too much.

[@tonyonallen]

b3j8, I bet you have never been to FLORIDA. Try driving on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge It's about twice as high as the Mackinac with a steep climb.

[@b3j8]

Tony Galano Noo, but I've seen plenty of video and photos. Not likely I'll get there anyway. But if I do I guarantee someone else will be in the driver's seat! lol

[@apap7170]

Only four lanes that's a narrow bridge. In New York City we had a homeless guy living inside the Manhattan Bridge. Only in New York.

[@LottaKays]

I crossed it today

[@bones007able]

Built for the discount price of 96 million in 1954 dollars ... today ?... just under 1 billion

[@MrGST360]

Got me fucked up. And I like how they stole that Timberlake and Timbaland beat

[@drumdad54sdl47]

I'd do this in a heartbeat!

[@davidposey1267]

My view is seeing it on KZbin

[@bandizzzy]

Nice!

[@trainman071]

id love to up there on that tower what a view!!!

[@rwestaby]

Thanks for watching!

[@trainman071]

no problem let me know how i can do this ill drive there this summer

[@jimheckert5383]

I would not climb that for a million. Thanks

[@teresaharring2386]

Kalamazoo, mi

[@V01t2]

OH HELL NO!!!

[@trainman071]

instead of getting high on drugs lets get 552 ft high on life with a "open view mind" and help those with addiction. and those with H.I.V let be "positive about life"

[@yaesuman]

WOW!

[@sethkenney]

That's a whole lot'a NOPE!!!

[@matthewferguson7084]

Shes had a few cheeseburgers in her time

[@garysherman4118]

really cool, like to do it !!

[@victoriagauthier2008]

That will get you thrown in jail.🤣🤣