FASCINATING NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRIDGES
Bridges are fascinating! My home state of Michigan has several that inspire! Here are my picks for FASCINATING NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRIDGES. When I take a second look at many travel destinations in Northern Michigan, I realize that these bridges have been here the whole time. I have just looked past them to the natural beauty of our area that overshadows these amazing engineering structures. Keep reading below…
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“Bridges represent archetypal problems. They are artifacts that bring you across or around an obstacle. So they have an unbelievable force.”
~ Santiago Calatrava
On a recent college visit with my son to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, we drove as far North as the US Highway I-75 would take us to Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan. We were touring LSSU’s campus when around the bend of a street at the edge of campus this is what I saw in front of me.
It was one of those moments where you stop and just look. How did I not know that this bridge was so picturesque. Of course I knew that this bridge was here. It is what connects Canada to the USA. I guess I never really, really looked at this bridge before. This moment inspired me to consider all of the amazing bridges that surround me in my little bubble of existence here in Northern Michigan.
Here are my TOP FASCINATING NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRIDGES:
“What I do is the opposite of building walls. I build bridges. A bridge is something that connects instead of separating.“
~Santiago Calatrava
#1 MACKINAC BRIDGE
The Mackinac Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Straits of Mackinac, connecting the Upper and Lower peninsulas of Michigan. Opened in 1957, the 26,372-foot-long bridge is the world’s 24th-longest main span and the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere. The “MIGHTY MAC” is quite awe inspiring and a favorite photo destination for many travelers before or after crossing.
The FACT & FIGURES about the “MIGHTY MAC” are astounding! I think the item that I obsess on when driving over it is that the suspension bridge is actually moving while we are driving over it…especially when winds are high (which in Northern Michigan is VERY FREQUENT!) The bridge is always swaying. It can sway back and forth up to thirty-five feet while drivers crossing are completely unaware! YIKES!
All suspension bridges are designed to move to accommodate wind, change in temperature, and weight. It is possible that the deck at center span could move as much as 35 feet (east or west) due to high winds. WHAT!
I asked GOOGLE…How many cars have fallen off the Mackinac Bridge?
I discovered…Two vehicles have fallen off the bridge: On September 22, 1989, Leslie Ann Pluhar died when her 1987 Yugo plunged over the 36-inch-high (91 cm) railing. High winds were initially blamed, which was not supported by recorded wind speed measurements taken on and around the bridge at the time of the accident.
I also asked Google for comparison what bridge is bigger the Golden Gate Bridge or the Mackinac Bridge?
ANSWER: The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco is 200 feet taller than the Mackinac Bridge. It is also 20 feet higher from the water than the Michigan Big Mac. However, the Mackinac is far longer than the Golden Gate bridge, which is only about 1.7 miles long compared to the Mackinac’s total length of five miles.
I might also add that the Golden Gate Bridge does not experience the extreme cold weather, falling ice from above, and gale force winds from Canada as the Mighty Mac endures routinely as a way of existence and mandatory necessity of maintenance. Although, the fresh water of the Great Lakes is no comparison to the salty sea water’s constant effect of deterioration either. Okay, so each are marvels in their own right!
“Building a bridge, in my opinion, is a symbolic gesture, linked with the needs of people who cross over it, and with the idea of overcoming or surmounting obstacles. A modern bridge can also be a work of art. It helps to shape our daily lives and becomes a vital experience for all the people who use it.“
~Santiago Calatrava
TOP FASCINATING NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRIDGES
#2 MARIE INTERNATIONAL BRIDGE
This bridge has fun fact too! It has 4.5 km of total length spanning 14,784′. Structurally it is a steel truss bridge with a suspension deck connecting Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, USA to Sault Ste. Marie, ONTARIO, CANADA (known as the “twin Saults.”) Over 1,900 million vehicles cross this bridge annually as it is the only fixed link between these two countries for over 1000 km.
So, if you want to cut through Canada to get to upstate New York or the rest of the New England states like Vermont, New Hampshire, or Maine. This is your route. Border closing have been a big issue for people who live on these borders and routinely shop both sides of the border or use these routes for short cut travel!
It is very picturesque and a completely enjoyable experience to travel through these northern, lesser traveled routes to get to your destinations! ALSO a great way for us Northern Michiganders to get away to Toronto; A frequent destination for shopping and cultural experiences!
“In my opinion, as an engineer, a bridge is the most difficult thing you can do. You are not working in the direction of gravity but against it – so the problem opposes the solution.“
~Santiago Calatrava
TOP FASCINATING NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRIDGES
#3 CHARLEVOIX’S DRAWBRIDGE
The double-leaf bascule bridge spans the Pine River Channel. The channel, which was dredged in 1870, connects Lake Michigan to Lake Charlevoix via Round Lake, a popular harbor. The bridge carries US-31 (Bridge Street) in downtown Charlevoix.
The 44-foot steel-mesh roadway is flanked by six-foot sidewalks, which are cantilevered beyond the outer girders of the bascule. When closed, the bridge has an overhead clearance of 17 feet. Electric motors open the 45-foot bridge sections, providing a 90-foot channel. The equipment is controlled from an operator’s house at the bridge’s southeast corner. Barriers rise from pockets in the pavement to stop vehicles from reaching the rising bridge. Gates and flashing signals also warn motorists that the bridge is opening.
This is a busy boating route in the summer with the bridge opening on the hour and the half-hour. Traffic stops for these events and patience is necessary for all drivers and pedestrians in this busy little tourist town.
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“A bridge is born of necessity, but it must establish its own identity. It should harmonize with its surroundings, and the design must transcend the purely local and transform the setting.“
~Santiago Calatrava
TOP FASCINATING NORTHERN MICHIGAN BRIDGES
#4 CUT RIVER BRIDGE
Heath M. Robinson Memorial Cut River Bridge
(photo credit Wikipedia)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cut_River_Bridge#/media/File:Cut_River_Bridge_4.JPG
The CUT RIVER BRIDGE is a cantilevered steel deck bridge over the Cut River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It is located along US 2 about 25 miles (40 km) northwest of St. Ignace and the Straights of Mackinac. There is a long but not often traversed wooden staircase to the valley below that was constructed some time after the construction of the bridge itself.
The bridge was built in 1947 and is one of only two cantilevered deck truss bridges in Michigan, it is 641 feet (195 m) long. The bridge carries traffic on US 2 above and spans the Cut River Valley, 147 feet (45 m) below.
When driving through Brevort, Michigan (PRO TIP!) be sure to stop at Gustafson’s for their jerky and smoked whitefish products. Just a bit past there is this amazing bridge to explore! I have probably driven through here a bazillion times and never stopped to REALLY take this bridge in! It really is a fascinating, beautiful place worth a visit!
Well, I hope that this list has triggered some amazing travel ideas for you to explore this next year! Not only are they amazing feats of engineering, but they are picturesque and glorious in their usefulness! Please leave me a reply below indicating which is your favorite bridge, and if you have ever traveled across it! Do you have a favorite bridge near where you live? Maybe you will look at it with new eyes and appreciation like I recently found myself doing!
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Inspirationally Yours,
Barbara
BIO: https://www.inspirationaltraveladventures.com/about-us/
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A 1993 graduate of Michigan State University, Barbara earned a BS in Social Science Pre-Law. She is a Business Manager/HR Director. Her passion is travel, discovering new places, experiences, cuisine, cultures while enjoying temperate climates. Barbara is a newly transitioning empty-nester who became a travel blogger. She’s a great photographer, talented writer, and has a great family to highlight in her high school/college athlete football sons.
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Barbara Robinson
TRAVEL BLOG🛩 * ADVENTURE🛶 * INSPIRATION🌞 Thanks for exploring our travel blog! We hope to assist you in your next adventure through learning from ours! We are transitioning empty-nesters perpetually seeking our next luxury snorkeling adventure! Daily God’s awe inspiring inspiration surrounds us with all of His natural beauty in every direction if we but slow down to observe. Take a moment each day to ENJOY!
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29 Comments
Linda Winans Egeler
The magnificent Mackinac Bridge is near and dear to every Michigander’s heart! We love traveling over it and getting a view of Mackinac Island. I haven’t been to the Cut River Bridge. Thanks for bringing it to my attention: it’s now on my list!
Barbara Robinson
It certainly won’t disappoint! Be sure to stop in Brevort at the Marathon gas station called Gustafson’s for smoked whitefish spread and jerkey!
Debbie
Look forward to traveling these bridges one day! I love bridges and their architecture. I’m constantly taking bridge photos as we travel.
Barbara Robinson
Me too! I love bridges and photos!
Jordan
The Cut River Bridge looks really interesting and I love the color. Bridges are always great for background of photos, and that one inf particular looks nice. Thanks for sharing!
Barbara Robinson
The fall color tour is amazing here!
Cecile Leger
Bridges are so fascinating. We have a bridge here connecting our province to Prince Edward Island, and it is 12.9 Km long. The kids love passing and looking at the scenery.
Chelsea
I can’t believe how huge these bridges are! Totally stunning!
Cindy
I’ve always wanted to see the Mackinack Bridge.
Barbara Robinson
The view of Mackinaw Island is great from there too!
Tiffany
Driving over Makinack Bridge was an experience!
Barbara Robinson
We walked it one Labor Day! That was wild!
Larissa Li
You love bridges! Who else would point at their beauty such a nice way:)
Cindy Moore
These are fascinating bridges! I love taking photos of bridges and learning their stories.
Carolyn
I admit that I am normally one of the people whizzing over or under bridges without taking the time to appreciate and learn about them. I am interested in hearing about some of the bridges in my area now, too.
The Lively Traveler
Cool! Michigan is one of the few states I have left to visit!
Chantelle
These are so cool! I love bridges.
Stacey Billingsley
These bridges are beautiful! I hope to see Michigan one day, and I’ll keep these bridges in mind. I love stuff like this.
Lisa Manderino
The bridges in Michigan are awesome! So beautiful as well!
Sabrina DeWalt
I love bridges. They are so majestic. I was thrilled when we found a park under the Arthur Ravenal Jr. bridge in Charleston. It was fun getting an up-close and personal look at it.
Marianne
I love bridges almost as much as I love lighthouses! Love to see the architecture and even to learn a little about the history! Very fascinating.
Larissa Li
Bridges are so useful! I like that they are all different and have their own beauty.
Sandi
As usual, you photos are gorgeous. Bridges are a fun and interesting topic.
Keirsten
I never realized there were so many cool bridges in Michigan. Love the older bridges with the massive iron arches.
Jay Hall
I love bridges and really enjoyed this blog. Some fablous bridges in Michigan for sure.
kmf
I’m fascinated with bridges. So love these intriguinging and beautiful ones in Michigan that you shared in this post.
Barbara Robinson
GREAT! I’m glad that you enjoyed!
Lisa, Casey, Barrett Dog
Bridges are not a favorite to cross, however, they’re amazing to look at! Michigan bridges look fabulous!
Barbara Robinson
I will admit that my stomach does flip-flops while driving across too! Cool to enjoy looking at the amazingness of the engineering though!