This year marks the 66th anniversary of the annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Bridge Walk. The Labor Day tradition is expected to involve 30,000 participants this year.
Walkers can start from either side of the bridge, beginning at 7:00am Monday. Participants are encouraged to finish their walk on the side they began as the only way to get back across otherwise will be via ferry. The cutoff time for walkers is 11:30am.
The walk begins in St. Ignace at the north end of the Mackinac Bridge in the Upper Peninsula, and in Mackinaw City at the south end of the bridge in the Lower Peninsula. To participate in the walk you may:
- Walk from either end of the bridge, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city you started from, where your transportation is located. The turnaround points will move towards the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if you start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m. or you will be turned back.
- Walk from either end of the bridge and continue across to the other side. This option is most like previous bridge walks. However, since bus transportation across the bridge will not be provided, walkers who choose this option will need to arrange for their own transportation back across after the bridge reopens at noon. Walkers who do not reach the midpoint of the bridge before 10 a.m. will be turned back.
- Walk from either end of the bridge, continuing across to the other side, then walking back to the end of the bridge you started from. This option will mean a 10-mile round trip for participants. If walkers in this option do not reach the midpoint of the bridge on their return trip by 10 a.m. will be turned back.
All vehicle traffic will be halted starting at 6:30 am until festivities have concluded, with the Michigan Department of Transportation recommending commuters plan to cross before or after those times.
MDOT representative James Lake told WCMU that the walk is a relatively easy one.
"It is at your own pace, so there's no rush," Lake said. "And because you can turn around at any point you can walk any portion of the bridge. If you're looking to prepare, take a look at the weather forecast ahead of time to see what kind of clothing would be appropriate for the day."
The Mackinac Bridge Authority has posted full details for this year's bridge walk on its website.
