Building the Mackinac Bridge Page 2
1954 - 1958
Opened to vehicles November 1, 1957
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1957 Vacationland auto ferry ride

Mackinac Bridge 1958 Dedication

The Mackinac Bridge Home
Mackinac Bridge construction Mackinaw City, Michigan
The Mackinac Bridge piers are in place and the framework for the deck is being strung across the piers in the spring of 1956.
The main tasks for 1956 were the extension of the truss spans from the Mackinaw City and St. Ignace mainlands to
the anchorage piers and the spinning of the cables. Temporary catwalks were suspended from anchorage to the other
before the spinning could begin.

The wheels then began spinning back and forth, laying four strands of .196" wire during each 8,164' pass between the
anchorages and over the towers. The 24.5" completed cables contain over 45,000 miles of wire.


Crane at work on the Mackinac Bridge
Placing the first section of the bridge superstructure on the piers on the south side of the Mackinac Bridge.

Foot of the Mackinac Bridge
The foot of the Mackinac Bridge on the Mackinac City side.
The main entrance to Colonial Fort Michilimackinac was later built next to the cement pier on the right.

Mackinac Bridge and Mackinac Island Michigan
The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and a car ferry can be seen in the distance.

Mackinac Bridge, Fort Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse
The Mackinac Bridge framework starting out from Mackinaw City. Fort Michilimackinac, Old Mackinac Point and
Michilimackinac State Park campground (closed in 1971) can be seen at left.

Mackinac Bridge construction - St. Ignace, Michigan
The Mackinac Bridge framework starting out from the causeway on the St. Ignace side. The truss sections are floated into place,
then topped with the roadway stringers which can be seen atop the three center sections of the truss.

Mackinac Bridge construction barges
Barges used for floating Mackinac Bridge superstructure into position.

Mackinac Bridge framework construction
Mackinac Bridge span being assembled on shore before being towed into position and raised into place.

Mackinac Bridge tower in fog
The Mackinac Bridge towers stand 552 feet above the average water level - this photo is from 1956.

Mackinac Bridge tower construction
762 foot tall tower, 210 feet below the water line and 552 feet above.

Mackinac Bridge tower being built
 

Mackinac Bridge anchorage construction
Temporary catwalk in place before the start of the construction of the Mackinac Bridge cables.
Construction of these catwalks was very hazardous and two Bridge workers fell to their deaths during their construction.

Mackinaw City from the air during the building of the Mackinac Bridge
Mackinaw City during the Mackinac Bridge construction, before construction of the approach.

Building the Mackinac Bridge - Mackinaw City, Michigan
Mackinac Bridge construction viewed from Mackinaw City, Michigan.

Aerial view of Mackinac Bridge construction and freighter
A Great Lakes freighter passes under the growing Mackinac Bridge.

Mackinac Bridge construction
The Mackinac Bridge main cables are now well along.

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1957 Vacationland auto ferry ride

Mighty Mac Home

Copyright 1954 -2021 by  Keith Stokes. These photos may not be reproduced without written permission. .