Crossing The Mighty Mac May Become Free For Residents & Travelers

Those who travel to and from the Upper Peninsula usually cross the Mackinac Bridge to do so and pay a toll but one lawmaker is looking at making this toll-free.

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How Much Did It Cost to Build The Mackinac Bridge?

The Mackinac Bridge is a massive suspension bridge that connects the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan but it didn't come cheap to build.

The Mackinac Bridge was completed and opened for travelers in 1957 and cost $70,268,500 to build. That is a lot of money to try and recover plus the expense of maintaining a structure this size.

How Much Did It Cost to Cross the Mackinac Bridge When It Opened in 1957?

When the Mackinac Bridge opened in 1957, the toll was $3.25 to cross.

The toll stayed the same until 2019 when it went up to $4 to cross the bridge per car and is still the same fee in 2023.

The breakdown on how the toll amount is selected per vehicle is its $2 per axle or $4 per car. This covers a passenger car, van, motorcycle, station wagon, SUV, pick-up truck, and school bus. It is $5 per axle if it is a tractor-trailer, commercial bus, motor home, step, or cube van. Although, if a motor home is towing a vehicle that vehicle is charged the auto rate. Someone wants to make all this for free.

If One Lawmaker Has His Way There Will Be No Toll to Cross the Mackinac Bridge

One Michigan lawmaker is urging for there not to be a toll to cross the Mackinac Bridge. A bill has been created by the Michigan's House of Representatives and if it passes the toll will go away. The tolls that are being collected now have been enough to maintain the bridge but lawmakers say there is enough surplus to cover maintenance.  We will have to wait and see if this bill makes it to a vote and passes to avoid paying a toll to cross the Might Mac in the future.