A few facts about The Mackinac Bridge

( pronounced MACK-KIN-KNAW - the spelling is from the French version of the name and thru the area part of the spelling is in French and part in English as this area was in dispute between France and England for some time before 1776 ) is one of the longest bridges in the world at 5 miles ( 26,444 feet - 8060 meters ) in length. The towers are over 550 feet tall. The bridges road surface is up to 199 feet above the water at midpoint. There is also over 41,000 miles ( 65969 kilometers ) of wire in the materials that make the bridge. Interstate 75 crosses the bridge and has 2 lanes each way except for half a day per year for the annual bridge walk during which half the bridge is closed to allow walking across. ( I-75 runs from Miami FL, to SaultSteMarie, MI and is one of the longest north - south roads in the USA ) The rest of the year walking across the bridge is not allowed. Cost for driving across the bridge is $1.50 (usd) each way for a car. All tolls are collected on the north end of the bridge. The bridge spans the Straights of Mackinac which is the closest point between the Upper Peninsula and Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The next point to cross the area would require you go to Canada or thru Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin to cross without a boat. The bridge was built in the late 1950s and before that time there was a car ferry that transported cars and light truck traffic across the straights. The area also is known for Mackinac Island which is just east of the bridge. Mackinac Island is a well known as a tourist area without any automoblie traffic allowed on the Island and turn of the century buildings. The Island is also known world wide for some of the worlds best fudge.

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