MTFCA Forum

Wondering what it is like on this bridge? The railings look pretty low, and if the wind is blowing......

I have never actually driven on it, but I watched it being built from the ferry that it replaced. I am told that the road is actually an open mesh for wind and snow abatement. Some folks have issues with being able to see the water through the road that they are driving on. I don't know if they still do it, but if a driver just couldn't handle the view, the bridge authority would provide a driver and you could sit there with your eyes closed. The only thing that would concern me would be a significantly windy day. The speed limit on the bridge is 45 mph, so a T wouldn't be going too much slower then the traffic (assuming that drivers actually pay attention to the speed limits).

A few of our group on the Jamboree a couple years ago crossed the bridge, just to say that they did. I don't remember why I didn't do it. Nobody reported any problems.

For those of us clueless, shoeless Southerners; what is a “Mighty Mac”??…. picture ?….. extra large hamburger ???

George, The Mighty Mac has Yoopers above it and Trolls below it. Hope that helps!

George, I believe the Mighty Mac is the bridge over the Straits of Macinac to/from Michigan's Upper Peninsula. From what I remember, the most unsettling thing about it was that the roadway was (is?) like perforated dock or deckplate.

You can hear your tires humming...

The "Mighty Mac" is the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan, it connects the lower peninsula to the upper peninsula.

The Northern Michigan T's will be having a 2 day "Tunnel Of Trees Tour", Sept 20-21 this year, that will include crossing the Mighty Mac.

Oh…OK….that do look like fun in a Model T… until a container ship hits one of those towers. God forbid

The Mackinac Bridge is about five miles in total length, and it was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it was built. The outer lanes are covered, the two inner lanes are open grate, which allows the wind to pass through, helping stabilize it. It also lets snow fall through, reducing weight. It can be intimidating to drive over, and there are drivers on call to drive your vehicle across while you hide! I talked to a gentleman who did this job, and he told of driving everything from motorcycles to semi trucks across it. The truck driver hid in the sleeper unit and told him how to drive the truck from there! He had never driven a tractor trailer before, and this one was loaded! It is a toll bridge going north but not south as I remember it.

Have those professional drivers ever driven a T? If not, I would not let them do it.
Norm

I ended up in Mackinac 2 summers ago and ran into a model a tour on their way across the bridge. I then saw one of the more distinct ones at ocf!

, George,

The inner lane is open metal and you can look down on the water. Basically just a grating. The outer lane is asphalt. The railing is standard height, so easy to look over the side when you are driving a T. Scary when the wind blows. Probably best not to try it with the top up.

Trivia: Elephants will not walk on an open bridge. When the circus parade went thru Milwaukee they had to cover the bridge openings.

"Yoopers" and "trolls"????
I get the "Yoopers" part of it. The "U" and "P" of "Upper Peninsula". But "trolls"???

I may be two thousand miles away and never been there. But I did know of the bridge by name, even the nickname.

"Trolls" because those of us in the lower peninsula live "under the bridge".

It's a beautiful drive across the bridge, regardless of what you're driving. Mackinaw City to the south and St. Ignace in the UP are both worth a visit. Lighthouses, sandy beaches, quaint shops, fudge, and many historical sites to visit should satisfy everyone in your party. To explain Adam's comment, folks in the UP are called "Yoopers" while those who live below the bridge are called "Trolls." As far as driving a T across, just build up a little speed on the approach and you should be OK. Keep to the outside and it's pavement all the way. Tolls are only collected on the UP side but you pay both ways.

From either city you can take a ferry to Mackinac Island. The island does not allow motorized vehicles and was recently rated #1 by Travel and Leisure Magazine, I quote: "Mackinac Island in northern Michigan was named the best island in the continental U.S., ranking higher than popular spots like Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket and Outer Banks." You can stroll thru the town and fort, rent bikes or take a horse-drawn taxi (or tour.) The Grand Hotel (built 1887) has the longest porch in the world and has hosted five U.S. presidents, inventor Thomas Edison, and author Mark Twain.

Northern Michigan is a great place to tour in a Model T. The 2024 MTFCI tour will be based out of Cadillac and will visit many of the North's favorite locations.

BTW - no container ships on the Great Lakes. We do have some pretty big bulk freighters but I think if one ever hit the Big Mac's pillars it would come out the loser, not the bridge. The distance between the bridge supports is 3800 feet, giving lots of room for passage. I had the privilege of crossing under the Big Mac twice aboard such a freighter....an unforgettable experience.

Thank you Tim M and Tim J for the clarification and more! One thing I love about this forum is how we/I can always learn about many things in addition to the model Ts.

The only car that had any real trouble on the Bridge was a Yugo in 1989. She was speeding and jumped the railing.

I remember that. I took my new bride up to our cabin in the U.P. for the 1st time. That story was still in the news. She is still terrified of that bridge after hundreds of trips accross. Road construction forced us onto steel grated with the Harlery once on a windy day. That didnt help her fear. The grates dont line up perfect so narrow tires in the bike felt a little funny. I would imagine a T would feel a little squirlly also since they are narrower than the Harley tire.

Video of driving across the bridge https://www.google.com/search?q=mighty+ ... -jcck,st:0 --
Check it out before you go. https://www.mackinacbridge.org/fares-tr ... -schedule/
Toll, $2, is paid both ways (twice) = $4
Speed limit is 45mph but sightseers might go slower - windy days 20mph
-- -- --

Don't forget to buy yourself some good karma. When you pay your toll, also pay for the car behind you, My son worked on the island a couple of summers and every time they would cross the bridge they would buy themselves what they called Mackinac Island Karma. They would pay for their car and the one behind them, just for luck, it happens a lot more often than you think.

Apart from driving over the bridge (both modern and antique), I have also driven my tractor across it, rode my bike across it (many years ago) and walked across it as well, and before the bridge was there I also took the ferry.

I agree with Jim's post about a freighter coming out second best. The Great Lakes can have some terrible weather - especially in the Winter (remember Gordon Lightfoot's "Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald"). I would assume that the Big Mac's designers took that into consideration when they were developing the bridge supports. Unlike the mess in Baltimore, there is no reasonable alternate route around the bridge. Failure is not an option.

Been across multiple times. You have two choices top DOWN or top UP with side curtains installed NEAT trip across

While the discussion of the Mackinaw Bridge brings up many fond memories, I'd be remiss for not pointing out that Michigan has much more to offer. If you've never visited Michigan, you've missed out on seeing some beautiful scenery. Just like California isn't just Los Angeles, Michigan isn't just Detroit. I live in the "Thumb" only two miles from Lake Huron and even after 50+ years I still enjoy driving along the shoreline. Michigan has 3288 miles of shoreline on the Great Lakes with more beauty than you can absorb. I particularly enjoy a section of US-2 west of St. Ignace. The highway runs along the shore and there are miles of state-owned beach where you can pull to the shoulder and with the water's edge less than 100 feet away, go for a swim. We have a Sprinter Camper van so we have a convenient place to change clothes

Most of the Northern part of the lower peninsula is sparsely populated as is the UP. Rolling hills, abundant forests, giant sand dunes (Sleeping Bear) quaint villages and many inland lakes in addition to the Great Lakes. Great Model T roads! You should pay us a visit!

This photo was taken in Wisconsin's Door Peninsula....a beautiful drive along Lake Michigan. The nearest land to the right in the photo is in Michigan more than 50 miles away. Some lake, eh?

Sure have! In October 2018 we took our 1926 Tudor over it. We stayed in Mackinaw City and rented a cabin on the shore of Lake Huron at Mill Creek Campground. We got up early and crossed the bridge on a Saturday morning and headed to Cedarville, then De Tour Village on the eastern tip of the UP. We took the car ferry over to Drummond Island. On the return ferry ride the car quit and refused to start again. The ferry crew pushed us off and we went to the De Tour Inn for a beer or two and called a taxi from Mackinaw City. $135 taxi fee and several hours later we were back to Mackinaw City to get the truck and trailer to cross the bridge again to get the Model T. I thought it was a great adventure….my spouse not so much lol.

Here's a video of our crossing:
https://youtu.be/h7O82Z4H3Iw

Perhaps I should post the photos of us taking the Badger Car Ferry over Lake Michigan for another solo Model T tour of Door County. That trip is a blast too!

This is one family of trolls that might live under the bridge. I forgot what the toll was the last time I crossed, but I did make it to Fort Michilimackinac (lets hear you pronounce that after a couple of beers) on the south side of the bridge. Those darn Finns brought these people over, or was it the Swedes?

I wish I could join the Northern Michigan T's tour of the tunnel of trees and of the big bridge.

The tree tunnel is beautiful. I have crossed the bridge at least 2 dozen times in a modern car starting right shortly after it opened on November 1, 1957. I am not sure if the rates raised since then.

Art Mirtes

I pulled both my '26 Touring and '27 Fordor over "the bridge" (we Michiganders rarely name it; everyone knows what you mean by "the bridge") in my 28' enclosed trailer in a 35 MPH wind. Toward the top it was a bit nerve wracking, even at only 25 MPH. I have never crossed while driving in a T but rode in the rumble seat of a '30 Model A Roadster, over to Mackinaw City and back, while joyriding as a kid and I've crossed multiple times in other old cars. I wish I had more vacation time to do the Tunnel of Trees tour this year.

To add to Tim's post - Michigan also has the greatest number of lighthouses of any U.S. state.

I believe the crossing rate is $2 per axle. They also count axles on your trailer George mentioned Drummond Island... been there a few times. Drummond is more of a haven for Jeeps and off-road enthusiasts but there are plenty of places you can drive your Model T. They even give a substantial senior discount on the DI Ferry. A great time to visit the area is in the fall....the color is outstanding! It starts in the UP and gradually works it's way down the state.

My first tour was the 2019 Michigan Jamboree when it was based out of Sault Ste. Marie. The Soo locks, Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls, St. Ignace, etc. Fun times! We actually got to drive along the shores of Lake Superior, Lake Huron and Lake Michigan!

Thank you guys for introducing some of us to the real Michigan. I've been to Michigan before but never saw most of what you are describing. Makes me want to revisit!
Ed aka #4

You're welcome Ed. In all the discussion of the North we forgot to mention the Old Car Festival at Greenfield Village, Piquette Factory Museum, Gilmore Museum, etc., etc. If any of you ever decide you want to visit the mitten state there are plenty of Michiganders on the forum who would gladly help you plan your visit and maybe offer a spare room or a place to park your trailer. I know I would.

Since we've spouted off on the beauty of Michigan, please feel welcome to extol the sights and beauty of your home state. One great thing about organized Model T tours is that we get to see areas that are off the beaten track and gain a new appreciation for states or areas that we might never see if left to our own devices. It's truly a wonderful thing!

I believe the Michigan Jamboree is going across it next year and they are running their tour out of St. Ignace. I plan to go. My wife is from Marquette, Queen City of the UP, and has walked the bridge on Labor Day since it opened. I have walked a few times, once everyone’s hair was standing up straight because of the wind. The grates let the wind out from under the deck to prevent harmonic rocking that would destroy the bridge. Look at a video of the Tacoma Narrows bridge in the 40’s.

Two dollars per axle is correct Tim.

It is five miles across.

I think a Yugo was blown off the bridge once. Truck speed limit is 20mph so a Model T should be fine in low wind.

Crossing the grate lanes on a motorcycle would at best be a challenge, in a wind, damned near impossible. Fortunately, the outer 2 lanes are paved..
We had open grate bridges in the central valley of California, one in particular (State Highway 12) was part of my commute route for about 3 months on a bike... ugh!! Not for the view - I actually didn't mind looking down and seeing the river, thought it was pretty cool - but narrow tires get squirrley on metal grates. On a T it wouldn't be bad (after all, there are 4 tires!!) but a bike is a whole different alligator to wrestle! They were pretty common on lift gate (aka Draw) bridges...

Joe Reid wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 01, 2024 1:41 am

I believe the Michigan Jamboree is going across it next year and they are running their tour out of St. Ignace. I plan to go. My wife is from Marquette, Queen City of the UP, and has walked the bridge on Labor Day since it opened. I have walked a few times, once everyone’s hair was standing up straight because of the wind. The grates let the wind out from under the deck to prevent harmonic rocking that would destroy the bridge. Look at a video of the Tacoma Narrows bridge in the 40’s.

Ohhh wow! I hope so! THAT one I will go on for sure! Michigan Jamborees are fantastic, St. Ignace is the "coolest little town" around there! If Bentley's cafe is still open, it's a great place to eat. I absolutely love the "Mighty Mac"....Michigan's sister bridge to the Golden Gate!

My wife and I crossed the bridge on our Harley in high wind. Not by choice but racing a bad storm. We had no choice but to ride the grates. The outer lane was closed. The angle we had to maintain was pretty steep. Oh and those grate sections don't line up. It was a challenge on two wheels.I think we hit Galord before she would speak to me again. I would love to take the T across but I fear I would be alone. We have crossed many time as we own property in the U.P..

A couple of weeks ago the Tunnel of Trees tour crossed the bridge both northbound and southbound on consecutive days. It was a total non-issue. Some folks lowered their tops out of concern for wind but about half of our cars had solid sided bodies and experienced no trouble. I suspect in really high winds you'd want to take it a little slower but you shouldn't have a problem. We stuck to the outer paved lanes and let the faster traffic have the grate. We got our fair share of "looks" and cars going by shooting video. All of our cars easily climbed the grade to the top of the bridge. The view was spectacular both ways.

I was a volunteer diver with our sheriff's department when the Yugo went over the rail and was connected with members of the team doing the recovery. The Yugo was not "blown off" - it was being driven at excessive speed, well above the bridge speed limit, and veered into the railing where it went over. Wind may have played some role but speed was the ultimate culprit. In it's history, no car has ever been "blown off" the bridge. A Model T will be fine.

It's true the Michigan Jamboree may be based out of St. Ignace next year. It's in the early planning stages. What with Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, there is a lot to see in the area.

Joe Reid wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 01, 2024 1:44 am

Two dollars per axle is correct Tim.

That's cheap by Eastern standards.

Tim Juhl, is your club planning the Jamboree next year or one further north? I will keep my eye on the website.

We will need ice cream after crossing

Thanks for the flattering photo The Borderline T's will be taking the lead in planning the Jamboree unless something changes. Brian Dowell (MTFCI Prez) is taking the lead in promoting the idea. We'll post info here as well as on the Michigan Model T Garage FB page as things develop.

Shoot, that bridge is a piece of cake! Y'all should have tried crossing the Huey P. Long Bridge in Jefferson Parish before they widened it. I was coming over it in Trixie some years ago when a police loudspeaker from a cruiser behind me requested me to pull over at the bottom of the bridge. The cops wanted to take pictures. Thank God I wasn't coming back from the Quarter half lit, Lordy.

Thank you Tim, a big turnout and a lot of people will have crossed “Big Mac” in a T.

Maybe I better plan on going to the Michigan Jamboree next year. 360 miles to get there.

If you've never visited Mackinac Island that might be another reason to visit the area.

DHort wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 02, 2024 1:11 am

Maybe I better plan on going to the Michigan Jamboree next year. 360 miles to get there.

I'll plan to see you there! We're 89 miles south of the bridge.

A little over 400 miles for us but have heard its a great time. First time for us next year. Went to Cadillac this year and we are in love with northern Michigan. Coming from a buckeye.

For those of you considering a visit from out of state - you aren't alone. We had visitors from 17 states and Ontario when I co-chaired the 2021 Jamboree. If you haven't visited the straits area, all I can say is "You ain't seen nothing yet!"