Mackinac Bridge Authority (Mich.)

Records of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, formed in 1950 by the Michigan State Legislature. The Authority was formed to investigate the feasibility of construction of a bridge across the Straits of Mackinac, which had previously been serviced by ferries. Although plans for a bridge were submitted as early as 1938, the advent of World War II halted any progress. The bulk of records comprising this group were generated by the Mackinac Bridge Authority, which was granted powers of financing, construction, operating and maintaining a bridge in 1952. Ground was broken in 1954 and the bridge connecting two portions of I-75 was opened for traffic and dedicated in June, 1958. Personalities dominating this record group are Lawrence A. Rubin and Prentiss M. Brown. Rubin was chief executive officer of the Mackinac Bridge Authority since its creation in 1950 to retirement on January 1, 1983. Brown served 12 years as Mackinac County Prosecutor, and 10 years in the Michigan House and Senate. He served a long chairmanship on the board of the Mackinac Bridge Authority.

From the description of Records of the Department of State Highways and Transportation, Mackinac Bridge Authority. [1934-1978]. (State Archive of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 701928082

The Mackinac Bridge Authority was established in 1950 with the purpose of determining "the physical and financial feasibility of a bridge connecting the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan." The authority was furthered empowered in 1952 to finance, build and operate such a bridge. Construction was begun in July 1954 and opened to traffic on November 1, 1957.

From the guide to the Mackinac Bridge Authority records, 1950-1967, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)