The Mackinac Island Bridge is a 5-mile long suspension bridge located in Michigan, connecting the Lower and Upper Peninsulas of Michigan. The bridge is an iconic symbol of the state, and one of the longest suspension bridges in the world.
Brief History and Construction of The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge was officially opened on November 1, 1957, after more than 10 years of construction. The bridge was built by the Mackinac Bridge Authority, a public entity formed by the State of Michigan to oversee the construction and maintenance of the bridge. The bridge was designed by engineer David B. Steinman and built by the New York Bridge Company. The total cost for the project was $99.8 million and it took more than 10,000 workers to complete the bridge.
Length of The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge is 5 miles long, and has a total of 4,400 feet of suspension span. It is the longest suspension bridge in the United States and the fourth longest in the world. The bridge is made up of two sections, the main span and the approach spans. The main span of the bridge is 3,800 feet long and the approach spans are 600 feet each.
Height of The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge is 200 feet tall at its highest point. This is the same height as a 20-story building. The bridge is designed to withstand winds up to 100 miles per hour and the main towers are designed to withstand the pressure of strong winds and ice.
Weight of The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge weighs more than 115 million pounds. This includes the weight of the bridge itself and the weight of the vehicles that travel across it. The bridge is made up of more than 30 million individual pieces, including more than 5 million bolts and 1 million rivets.
Materials Used for The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge is made of steel and concrete. The steel components of the bridge were made by Bethlehem Steel Corporation in Pennsylvania, while the concrete components were made by the Detroit Concrete Company. The bridge’s main cables are made of galvanized steel and are held in place by more than 1,000 suspender cables.
Maintenance of The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge is inspected and maintained on a regular basis by the Mackinac Bridge Authority. The bridge is inspected twice a year, and any repairs that need to be made are done as soon as possible. The bridge is also painted every seven years to protect it from corrosion and ensure its structural integrity.
Traffic on The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge is one of the busiest bridges in the United States. More than 5 million vehicles cross the bridge every year, and the number is continually increasing. The bridge is also popular for pedestrians and bicyclists, who can cross the bridge for free.
Tolls on The Mackinac Island Bridge
The Mackinac Island Bridge is a toll bridge, which means that drivers have to pay a fee to cross it. The toll rate is $4.00 for passenger cars and $8.00 for commercial vehicles. The tolls are collected by the Mackinac Bridge Authority.