Mackinac Bridge

[Mr_Northside]

If not already mentioned, there's a Dirty Jobs episode centered around it as well that I thought was quite interesting.

[roadman65]

I have crossed it on way to Sault Ste. Marie from Indianapolis!  Nice drive and have a short film in my phone of midspan.

[Tom]

Yea, it would be interesting to do 70, but I don't think I'd feel safe on it. I think large trucks have to do 25, or maybe that was just due to the weather. It's unfortunate that my link 404d, how do you just post an imagine into the post?

You might be interested in knowing that a lady from Canada was clocked going 100 miles per hour on Mighty Mac.  When stopped by the Bridge patrol, she said driving on the bridge was so scary that she wanted to get off it as soon as possible.

[xcellntbuy]

Very impressive night pictures.

[roadman65]

I crossed in 08 and it was not bad.  I had no issues except maybe the grid deck on the suspension part.  My old phone had a video of it, but I cannot get the video out of the phone to post it.  It was short and 10 seconds, but good anyway.

[nds76]

It was just announced that the Mackinac Bridge tolls are going up from $3.50 to $4.00 in January.

[nds76]

I live about 90 miles south of the bridge along I-75. I go up there a few times a year.

[kphoger]

I have crossed the bridge one time, while I was hitchhiking through Michigan (from Menominee through the lower peninsula, down to Chicago).  This was back in, ummmmmm, looks like August 2005.  I remember the bridge feeling VERY high and VERY narrow, what with only a little curb running between northbound and southbound lanes.  I really don't imagine it's the kind of bridge my wife would like to drive over , for sure.  This was part of a trip taken specifically to see Michigan, and I would recommend seeing the U.P. to those who haven't been there; I know I wish I had spent more time there.

Read my story @ http://www.digihitch.com/article758.html

[Alex]

I have crossed the bridge one time, while I was hitchhiking through Michigan (from Menominee through the lower peninsula, down to Chicago).  This was back in, ummmmmm, looks like August 2005.  I remember the bridge feeling VERY high and VERY narrow, what with only a little curb running between northbound and southbound lanes.  I really don't imagine it's the kind of bridge my wife would like to drive over , for sure.  This was part of a trip taken specifically to see Michigan, and I would recommend seeing the U.P. to those who haven't been there; I know I wish I had spent more time there.

Read my story @ http://www.digihitch.com/article758.html

Very eloquently written, I enjoyed reading that.

The steel grate aspect of the Mackinac Bridge deck is a bit unnerving, but at the ultra low speed limits on the bridge (speed limits of 45 for cars, 20 for loaded trucks), it is easier to ignore.

[tvketchum]

The steel grate inner lanes, the steel stiffening trusses wider than the roadway, both are part of the design to prevent the 'Galloping Gertie' effect which brought down the first Tacoma Narrows bridge. The narrower travel lanes and the narrow center median are more a function of the design standards for highways in the early 1950's. Any attempts to install a higher center divider would alter the aerodynamics of the bridge.

[mgk920]

Also, if anyone is unable to drive their vehicle across the bridge due to fear, regardless of what kind of vehicle is it (motorcycle, small car, bus, big-rig truck, etc), the bridge authority will provide a driver of their own to take care of that - just tell a tolltaker (southbound) or let them know from a callbox along I-75 near the bridge (northbound) and one will be dispatched.  Cost?  No extra charge - it's included in the regular bridge toll and the service is available 24/7/365.

Mike

[xcellntbuy]

An office colleague told me about the bridge escorts just the other day.  This is really true?

[agentsteel53]

An office colleague told me about the bridge escorts just the other day.  This is really true?

seems so:

http://www.mackinacbridge.org/faq-17/Bridge+services/

The Mackinac Bridge Authority has a "Drivers Assistance Program" that provides drivers for those uncomfortable with driving across the Mackinac Bridge. If you are traveling northbound, there is a phone at the south end of the bridge. Instructions for using the phone are posted in the phone box. If you are southbound, just ask a fare collector for assistance. There is no additional fee for this service.

this website is badged Mackinac Bridge Authority and Michigan DOT, so I'd say that's quite official.

[Alps]

I would imagine motorcycles are just loaded onto a truck and driven across. Can't imagine the awkwardness of riding on a stranger's back on a bridge you're already terrified of.