Mike Levin: “the State of Michigan today celebrates the 50th anniversary of the bridging of Michigan's two peninsulas through the…”

“the State of Michigan today celebrates the 50th anniversary of the bridging of Michigan's two peninsulas through the engineering feat known as the Mackinac Bridge. A suspension bridge spanning a 5 mile stretch of the Straits of Mackinac, the Mighty Mac or Big Mac has become an icon of Michigan. Although dreams of connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsula by bridge began in the 1880s, it would take more than 70 years for that dream to become a reality. In the meantime, ideas for crossing the straits ranged from the improbable--a floating tunnel to the impractical--a series of bridges and causeways--to the doable--a ferry service. In 1923, Michigan began car ferry service across the Straits of Mackinac between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace. Traffic on the car ferries became so heavy within just five years that another option--a bridge--needed to be seriously considered. The State Highway Department undertook a feasibility study that reported favorably on a bridge. Although the need and the know-how were there, the money was not. The Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority of Michigan, established in 1934 by the State legislature, tried twice that decade to obtain Federal funds from the federal Public Works Administration but was refused. World War II stopped further progress on a bridge. In January 1951, the Mackinac Straits Bridge Authority issued a favorable feasibility study. Legislation to finance and build the bridge passed in early 1952.”