<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3GTUJP_0uwhuMLE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3GTUJP_0uwhuMLE00" width="650" height="424" ><figcaption>People participating in the 63rd Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk on Sept. 6, 2021, across the Straits of Mackinac, between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, Michigan. The bridge is closed to vehicles for the morning to allow thousands of walkers to cross the bridge’s five-mile length, the only day pedestrians are allowed on the structure between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. (Photo provided/John L. Russell/AP) </figcaption></figure><p> This year’s Labor Day walk across the Mighty Mac has a new starting location. </p><p> The Mackinac Bridge Authority recently announced that for the “safety and convenience” of participants who start from the St. Ignace side for the <a href="https://www.mackinacbridge.org/events/walk/?utm_campaign=news+digest+aug2024+week2&amp;utm_medium=digest&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> 2024 Mackinac Bridge Walk </a> , the walk will begin from Bridge View Park on the west side of I-75 rather than at the Mackinac Bridge Authority administration building. </p><p> “As most participants who start in St. Ignace already park at Bridge View Park, starting the walk from that side reduces the number of people crossing the interstate before the event begins,” Mackinac Bridge Authority officials wrote in a <a href="https://www.mackinacbridge.org/new-st-ignace-mackinac-bridge-walk-starting-location-announced-for-2024/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> press release </a> . “Participants who park on the east side of I-75 will now be guided across the road before and after walking the bridge.” </p><p> If your Labor Day weekend travel plans include crossing Michigan’s famous suspension bridge on Sept. 2, remember the Mackinac Bridge Authority will close the bridge to public vehicle traffic from 6:30 a.m. to noon for the annual walk. The choice is based on recommendations from the Michigan State Police and the United States Department of Homeland Security. Emergency vehicles will still be permitted to cross the bridge. </p><p> The walk begins at 7 a.m. Participants can start walking any time after the governor’s party starts the walk at around 7 a.m. No one will be permitted to start after 11:30 a.m. No restrooms are on the bridge, and the average time to walk across is two hours. Portable toilets are set to be available at both ends of the bridge. </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0xfeAz_0uwhuMLE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0xfeAz_0uwhuMLE00" width="650" height="975" ><figcaption>Pedestrians walk the Mackinac Bridge on Sept. 2, 2019, during the 62nd annual Labor Day Bridge Walk. (Photo provided/John L. Russell/AP) </figcaption></figure><p> Want to join the 2024 walk? </p><p> The 66th event is free (and registration isn’t required). Between 20,000 and 35,000 people have participated in recent years. The 2023 walk drew 35,000 participants. There’s plenty to do on both sides of the 5-mile-long bridge, like visiting Mackinaw City or <a href="https://www.michigandnr.com/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?utm_campaign=news+digest+aug2024+week2&amp;utm_medium=digest&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Ocqueoc Falls </a> in the Lower Peninsula or exploring St. Ignace or <a href="https://www.michigandnr.com/ParksandTrails/Details.aspx?utm_campaign=news+digest+aug2024+week2&amp;utm_medium=digest&amp;utm_source=govdelivery" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank"> Fayette Historic State Park </a> in the Upper Peninsula. </p><p> “Far more parking is available in Bridge View Park and there is also more room for gathering before the start of the event,” Mackinac Bridge Authority Bridge Director Kim Nowack said in the release. “Starting the walk from that side of I-75 will be more convenient and safer for most participants.” </p><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3CMc8g_0uwhuMLE00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3CMc8g_0uwhuMLE00" width="650" height="650" ><figcaption>There is&nbsp;no&nbsp;fee or&nbsp;registration needed. And several options for participants. (Map provided/Mackinac Bridge Authority) </figcaption></figure><p> The bridge walk again will start from both St. Ignace and Mackinaw City, eliminating the need for busing and offering additional options for participants. The video below explains the walk schedule and options. </p><div style="position:relative;width:100%; height:0; padding-bottom: 56.25%;"><iframe allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox" scrolling="no" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iibDLbWxgZ0?si=rTPDUr1j9iHL1_un" style="width:100%; height:100%;top:0; left:0; position:absolute"></iframe></div><p> Walkers have three main options, outlined in the video: </p><ul><li> Starting from either end of the bridge and walking toward the center, turning around at the midpoint and returning to the city they started from, where their transportation is located. The turnaround points will move toward the ends of the bridge beginning at 10 a.m., but walkers can walk at least a portion of the bridge if they start by 11:30 a.m. Walkers must be on the side of the bridge they wish to return to before 10 a.m. </li><li> Walking the entire length of the bridge starting from either end. Those who choose this option must reach the midpoint before 10 a.m. or they will be turned back. Anyone who walks the entire bridge must arrange transportation back to the side they started once the bridge reopens to public traffic at noon. </li><li> Crossing the bridge, starting from either end and then turning around and walking back to the side they started from. In this option, walkers will need to cross the midpoint on their return trip by 10 a.m. or they will be turned back and need to find transportation back across the bridge after it reopens at noon. </li></ul><p> As for the last several years, no buses will transport participants because walkers can start from either end of the bridge when they arrive. Participants must plan accordingly to ensure they end their walk on the same side of the bridge as their transportation. The Mackinac Bridge Authority does not provide any shuttle service after the walk and cannot guarantee outside shuttle services will be offered. </p><p> The bridge walk has been an annual event since 1958, except for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. </p><p class="cci_endnote_contact" title="CCI End Note Contact"> People who need accommodations due to disability may contact the Mackinac Bridge Authority by Aug. 30 at 906-643-7600. TTY users may call the Michigan Relay Center at 800-649-3777. </p></div></body>

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How to join the 66th Mackinac Bridge Walk

This year’s Labor Day walk across the Mighty Mac has a new starting location. Between 20,000 and 35,000 people have participated in recent years. Here’s how you can: