ST. IGNACE, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – If you’re planning on crossing the Mighty Mac this Labor Day weekend, you’ll need to plan ahead.
Based on safety and security recommendations from the Michigan State Police (MSP) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Mackinac bridge will be closed to all public vehicle traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon during annual Labor Day walk.
For those looking to cross the bridge that day, travelers should be aware that if they arrive in the Straits area during the walk they’ll need to wait until after noon to proceed. Northbound I-75 will be closed at Exit 337, and southbound I-75 and US-2 will be closed at Exit 344.
Travelers should also expect that access to I-75 north of Gaylord may be restricted during the bridge closure in order to limit the number of motorists stranded on the freeway. MSP troopers will be deployed throughout the region to monitor traffic conditions and reroute traffic if conditions warrant.
Portable bathrooms will be placed along US-2 for several miles west of the bridge, water and snack stations will be located on US-2 and I-75 north and south of the bridge, and two MBA mechanics will patrol on both sides of the bridge to assist motorists with vehicle problems.
Typically, about 9,500 vehicles would cross the bridge the morning of Labor Day, and MBA staff believe that at least half of those vehicles were shuttling friends and family across the bridge to participate in the walk.
Since 1958, every year, between 30,000 and 60,000 people from several states and countries come to the Mackinac Bridge for the Annual Bridge Walk. The event will begin at 6:40 a.m. with the start of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Jog, followed by a greeting from Gov. Rick Snyder at 6:55 a.m. Walkers will begin across the bridge at 7 a.m.
