ST. IGNACE, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – As of mid-morning Wednesday, the Mackinac Bridge was again closed due to falling ice.
While the Mackinac Bridge Authority says it cannot predict when the bridge can be reopened, they say more closures seem likely due to the amount of ice that still remains on the bridge’s towers and cables.
This is the third closure of the bridge in three days following an accumulation of freezing rain that hit the bridge late last week, depositing several inches of ice in spots. The bridge was closed for falling ice from about 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 31; from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 1; and since 2:30 a.m. today.
“Unlike high wind closures where weather forecasts can give us solid information on when winds are expected to diminish, guessing when ice will fall and stop falling is just a guess,” said Mackinac Bridge Director Kim Nowack. “Factors like wind, sunshine and rising temperatures may give us hints that falling ice may be imminent, but no clear timing. For the safety of all involved, we need to keep our system simple: when ice is falling from the towers and cables, we close the bridge until it stops.”
Maintenance staff at the bridge have said the amount of ice that has formed is unprecedented, and the size of ice sheets, spears and chunks that are falling are dangerous to anyone out on the bridge deck during those times.
“Given the amount of ice that remains on the cables and towers, any falling ice closures are likely to be lengthy, and could start and stop at any time,” Nowack said. “Local emergency and relief services are strained, many local businesses are closed, and there are still power outages in the Straits area, so we discourage travelers from coming here expecting to cross the bridge. Please don’t travel here if it’s not absolutely necessary.”
For updates on the Mackinac Bridge closures, check condition reports on their website at MackinacBridge.org.
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