Happy 60th Birthday Mackinac Bridge

[BrianS]

Happy 60th birthday to the mighty Mackinac Bridge which opened to vehicular traffic on November 1, 1957!

[pinnacle-project]

The Straits of Mackinac are very beautiful and should be on everyone's vacation list.

The beer can is pretty nice too.

[MI-Cans]

I've probably crossed it close to a hundred times over the years as we vacationed in Crystal Falls. There were many spring, late fall and winter crossings where I had the white knuckle death grip on the steering wheel! Always used the inside lane (if available). I put the cruise on if anyone wanted to, they could go around me. My dislike of the 5 mile Bridge crossing was always tempered by the great vacations we had in Crystal!

For anyone that's interested in such things...Here's Facts & Figures about the Bridge:

http://www.mackinacbridge.org/history/facts-figures/

Found this YouTube video to give you an idea of the crossing.

https://youtu.be/IEnuNQfAauk?t=199

(MI-Cans)

[kruegerbock]

It's on my bucket list to drive across that bridge. Also, I have a very nice outdoor example of that can on my primary display shelves. It may be the only offgrade can I have on those shelves which isn't from NJ.

[idigrust]

Building the Mac !!! http://www.mightymac.org/buildingmackinacbridge.htm

[MI-Cans]

Dan,

Great link. Thanks for sharing that site. I loved the progression of the photos and the shots of the old cars!

Still not thrilled to drive over it, though...

(MI-Cans)

[MI-Cans]

Found this link to a 3-D aerial view of the Big Mac Bridge. You control movement with your mouse! Zoom in and out, pan right and left, up and down, whatever.

https://roundme.com/tour/118223

It came from this page where they have 40 plus 3-D tours (a lot of Michigan).

https://roundme.com/@dustindilworth/tours

(MI-Cans)

Click to enlarge.

[Ziphippie]

That’d be a great place to pipe some crude. Worst. Idea. Ever. Bjorn
http://www.oilandwaterdontmix.org/problem

[Leon]

I remember when I heard on the News that a strong wind blew a little car right off the bridge as it was driving over it. Anybody else remember this? And it has happened more then once. LEON.

My Personal Pic below.

[Lovegun]

I've probably crossed it close to a hundred times over the years as we vacationed in Crystal Falls.

Traveled it many times on our way to Jonny's (Crystal Falls) and back, and it never gets old. B.T.W., for those that haven't seen it, there is a "Dirty Jobs" w/ Mike Rowe, in which he paints the bridge, and changes light bulbs.

[MI-Cans]

I remember it because it happened on my birthday. Later that November, when we were returning from Crystal Falls after deer hunting, we saw the car inside a closed former service station in Mackinaw City. We could see it through the glass in the big doors.

(MI-Cans)

Click to enlarge.

[MI-Cans]

Dug this up on Wikipedia.

(MI-Cans)

Click to enlarge.

[Leon]

Yeah, That was the first incident. There was another time a guy blew off the bridge. I remember people trying to say it was his own fault, because he did not have a Drivers License. Which means he should not of been driving. And if he was not driving it would of never happened. LEON.

[Leon]

I see you were typing at same time I was, The suicide must of been determined much later as that was never mentioned originally. LEON.

[Leon]

Ed, Maybe you got that Bridge Phobia they talk about. My Ex Girlfriend I think had that, she was always uncomfortable crossing any Bridge. LEON.

[renokenn]

2013 after Fort Wayne canvention. 1947 Chevy

[MI-Cans]

Leon,
I've been on enough bridges that didn't bother me like the Big Mac does. Sunshine Bridge (old one and new one) in Tampa, Bridge highway to Key West, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, bridges across the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, etc. I actually looked around and enjoyed the scenery as well as the drive.

On the Big Mac, their curb is a round tube. If a tire hits it at the correct angle and speed, I believe it could propel a vehicle upwards. The outer barrier is only 36 inches high. That's the right lane. The left lane, it becomes a grate for what seems like forever. Certain tread patterns tend to grab the grate during the ride making it uncomfortable, not to mention the noise that you hear.

I just tried to focus on my driving, watching the speed and just being careful. So, not afraid, just overly cautious!

(MI-Cans)

Click to enlarge.

[pinnacle-project]

. . . The left lane, it becomes a grate for what seems like forever. Certain tread patterns tend to grab the grate during the ride making it uncomfortable, not to mention the noise that you hear . . .

Periodically, they take out sections of the grating and sell it. People make things out of it. If I recall correctly, a restaurant in Grand Rapids incorporated a piece of it into their bar.

[MI-Cans]

Bryan,

I hope they remember to replace it!!!

(MI-Cans)

[Leon]

The bad thing about the grating is when you look through it you can see the water below you a 1000 feet. that can be kinda scarry wondering what would happen if grate collapsed or gave away

[YooperAho]

[keithker]

Mountains of rare blue ice form in Michigan: Stunning pictures show stacks of the natural phenomenon up to 30ft high on the shores of the Great Lakes

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... higan.html

[BrianS]

The Mackinac Bridge from space. St. Ignace is on the left, Mackinaw City on the right.

[beerhunter14]

When was this satellite photo was taken ??? I heard the news this morning, A satellite of Lake Superior, , a rare photo of no cloud in sight. but shown some ice along the lake shore.

[BrianS]

When was this satellite photo was taken ?

The story says April 18, 5 p.m.