The Most Dangerous Job In Michigan Goes Unnoticed

I recently wrote an article about how every year 50 people are allowed to go to the very top of the Mackinac Bridge to see the world from the top of the Mighty Mac. These lucky few are brought up the service elevator and climb the remaining distance to reach the top of the bridge.

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But while I was writing that, I remembered an episode of one of my favorite shows ever, Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe, that showcased one of the most dangerous and underrated jobs any Michigander could hold: Mackinac Bridge Caretakers. Mike joined the crew in charge of painting the bridge and changing the lightbulbs from dizzying heights.

Painting The Mackinac Bridge 

"If you're claustrophobic or afraid of heights, this isn't the best place to be."

In an inside look, 9&10 News interviewed some of the workers responsible for painting the bridge that green color it's known for. While the color gives the bridge a more iconic look, it has a practical reason as well.

The bridge is constantly exposed to water and sand, so painting the bridge keeps it from rusting. Considering the high frequency of people crossing the bridge every day, keeping the 67-year-old bridge in top shape is essential. That includes the inside of the bridge, where workers have to constantly re-paint the tiny service interiors of the bridge for the same reason.

Changing the Lightbulbs

According to an interview with Mike Rowe, Mike went into detail about how he ended up "580 feet at the top of the bridge". The job is a perilous task of walking along the bridge's suspension cables while dealing with the wind. The bridge has 96 lights that keep aircraft and ships from crashing into the bridge, as well as being decorative.

Watching the footage of Mike walking across these cables is harrowing. He did this for ONE day, while there are people who did this weekly. The worker accompanying Mike can be heard saying that walking on these cables is "all about routine." Forgetting to reattach yourself to the safety beams could mean the difference between life and death.

If you cross the bridge and see construction workers on it, make sure to give them some extra consideration for the work they do. It is not for the faint of heart.