Mackinac Bridge Books

MIGHTY MAC

BRIDGING THE STRAITS

The official picture history of the construction of the Mackinac Bridge. Two hundred and four captioned photographs of the building of the Bridge describe in layman's language the methods and techniques used to get a toe-hold in the deep and turbulent Straits of Mackinac; erect the twin towers as high as the Washington Monument; connect the four story high girders to support the four lane roadway nearly five miles long. It was opened on November 1, 1957 as scheduled 42 months earlier when ground was broken on May 6, 1954.

The inside story of the intrigue, political shenanigans, legislative maneuvering and financial bickering that had to be overcome before the world's longest total suspension span -- and at the time most expensive bridge -- could be financed. Wall Street bankers were reluctant to invest in a structure with a population of 900 on one side and 3000 on the other and 300 miles from any large city. Coupled with the reputed violent winter weather at the Straits it was dubbed "The bridge that couldn't be built."