Which bridge crosses the Straits of Mackinac between Lakes Michigan and Huron?

The Mackinac Bridge crosses the Straits of Mackinac between Lakes Michigan and Huron.

The suspension bridge connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas. It carries Interstate 75 between St. Ignace on the north side and Mackinaw City on the south side. The main suspended span is 1,158 metres long, and the bridge’s total length is about 8,038 metres.

Construction began in 1954, and the bridge opened to traffic on November 1, 1957. Its design was influenced by the Tacoma Narrows Bridge disaster, so engineers gave special attention to aerodynamic stability and stiffening structures.

The bridge is sometimes confused with the Straits themselves. The straits are a natural waterway linking the two Great Lakes, while the Mackinac Bridge is the man-made crossing above them. The bridge’s name is pronounced “Mackinaw,” reflecting the local pronunciation of Mackinac.