The American Society of Civil Engineers designated the bridge as an engineering feat
ST. IGNACE, MI -- Some of you may remember the days when you'd sit in line for a day waiting to catch the ferry from Lower to Upper Michigan.
The Mackinac Bridge made everything so much easier.
It's gained recognition for its engineering feats.
Spanning just under five miles, the Mackinac Bridge is the third largest suspension bridge in the world, and it's the largest in the Western Hemisphere. Now, it's being recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.
If there's one person who has lived the Mackinac Bridge, it's Tommy Johnson.
"1956, when they sprung the big cable on the bridge that holds all the steel on the bridge," recalled Johnson.
There was a day when he was like one of these guys, helping build one of the greatest engineering feats of the time. Today, he still works for the bridge, collecting money from wide-eyed visitors who have crossed history.
"The most beautiful thing that anyone worked on the bridge or anything like that had anything to do with it, have just remarkable feelings to be able to work on the bridge when they were building it," said Johnson.
"Today is significant and exciting because today, the Mackinac Bridge is being recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark, that sounds great, doesn't it?" said Kirk Steudle, MDOT Director.
It took three and a half years to build the massive "Mighty Mac," and the first cars crossed the Straits of Mackinac on November 1st, 1957. 53 years later, the American Society of Civil Engineers presented the Mackinac Bridge Authority with the hall-of-fame designation.
"It's reserved for the very best of the best if you will, the cream of the crop, as far as notable civil engineering projects that contribute to the well being of communities that they serve," said ASCE’s Kathy Caldwell.
The bridge was built before the latest and greatest technology was available, but great engineer, Doctor David Steinman, moved forward with the project.
"Just points out how significant the Mackinac Bridge is to the whole United States. We're very proud of that achievement," said Mackinac Bridge Authority Supervisor Bob Sweeney.
"Even though they're not building it anymore, I still feel lucky I have the opportunity to work on the bridge now because it's just something that is great, it's unbelievable," said Johnson.
When the bridge was completed, gone were the days of taking a ferry from Lower Michigan to Upper Michigan, now, the bridge stands as a historic landmark, and an inspiration for generations of engineers to come.
The bridge joins the Hoover Dam, Washington Monument and about 200 other engineering icons with the designation.
