New award recognizes 11,000 very special people

NEWS RELEASE: MACKINAC BRIDGE AUTHORITY

*********************** At 1 p.m. on Friday, May 7, the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan Department of Transportation will host a special ceremony and unveil a new coin honoring those responsible for building the popular landmark called the Mackinac Bridge.

Also known as the "Mighty Mac," the bridge is a 552-foot national icon and Michigan landmark.

Linking Michigan's two peninsulas, the five-mile long, one-million ton Mackinac Bridge was built in only three years.

Transportation and the straits-area landscape were forever changed by 350 engineers, 3,500 bridge workers and 7,500 other people who were employed by various quarries, mills and shops.

"Clearly, thousands were responsible for construction of the Mackinac Bridge," said William H. Gnodtke, MBA board chairman.

"We want to celebrate the anniversary of the beginning of construction and recognize the people who played a part in this wonderful accomplishment."

A limited supply of commemorative collector coin sets honoring the workers will be available for sale at the 1 p.m. ceremony.

The new coin is the fourth in a series of bridge toll coins, or tokens, customers can use to cross the bridge.

The event will take place at Bridge View Park in St. Ignace or, in the event of inclement weather, at a site to be determined.

"The Mackinac Bridge is a critical part of Michigan's multi-modal transportation system and our state's economy," said MDOT Director Gloria J. Jeff.

"Since the workers are the ones who made this possible, we encourage all families affiliated with the construction of the bridge to contact the Mackinac Bridge Authority as soon as possible for information about the ceremony."

The Mackinac Bridge first opened to traffic on Nov. 1, 1957.

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