Michigan's iconic Mackinac Bridge offers a hefty slice of history for sale. The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) has auctioned sections of the bridge's original steel grating. These pieces of infrastructure, which have borne the weight of countless vehicles over decades, are now available to the highest bidder on GovDeals.com. The auction will close on January 21.

For would-be bidders, each grating section measures about 5½ feet by 38 feet by 5 inches and weighs approximately two tons. Notably, there are no light trinkets to place on a shelf at home. Per the listing on GovDeals.com, the MBA does offer to cut the grates in two for easier shipping, a cost included in the purchase price. Those interested in owning a smaller piece can directly buy smaller grate sections, up to three per customer, from the Mackinac Bridge administration office, stated the WWJ Newsradio article.

Fortified with history, the grates come with a cautionary note: they are originally coated in lead-based paint, which has largely worn away. However, buyers will need to sign a "Hold Harmless agreement" due to the paint's hazards and the structural conditions of the grating. "Buyer will have to sign a ‘Hold Harmless agreement’ related to the lead paint and the structural condition of the grating," explains the GovDeals.com auction page, as cited by WWJ Newsradio.

Maintaining the "Mighty Mac" is an ongoing task, and the MBA has decided to recycle value by converting unused portions of the bridge into resources for its upkeep. Each bid from the sale further contributes to the bridge's maintenance, ensuring that the Mackinac Bridge will continue to be properly preserved. "All proceeds from this auction will go directly back into the maintenance of the Mighty Mac, getting even more value from this material," the Michigan Department of Transportation declared on social media.