A major change will go into effect at this year's Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day morning. The bridge will be closed off to virtually all vehicular traffic. The only exceptions will be buses used to transport walkers and emergency vehicles.

The bridge will be closed from 6:30am until 12 Noon on Labor Day. Labor Day is the unofficial end of summer and the day many travelers return from final getaways for the summer season. The change comes after meetings with the Department of Homeland Security and the Michigan State Police.

On average, during the Walk, 9,000 vehicles would cross the span. The question is how will this affect people's plans to visit the area and the Upper Penisula on Labor Day weekend, if they can't leave for home until after Noon.

We understand this change will be an inconvenience to our customers traveling Labor Day morning," said MBA Chairman William Gnodtke. "Our board felt this choice strikes the best balance of keeping this 60-year tradition going for the tens of thousands of visitors who walk the bridge each year and keeping them safe." - Michigan Dept. of Transportation

No walkers will be allowed to start the Bridge Walk after 10am and buses will be picking up remaining walkers around 11:30am to ensure that the Bridge is reopened at Noon.

The Bridge Walk annually attracts 30,00 to 60,000 walkers. The Mackinac Bridge Authority promises to warn motorist in the days and weeks leading to the Walk.

(Michigan Dept. of Transportation via YouTube)

 

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