Bridge News Archives | Mackinac Bridge Authority

Mackinac Bridge Authority meets Nov. 8 in Sault Ste. Marie

Posted on October 31st, 2024

The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) will meet Nov. 8 in Sault Ste. Marie to discuss the 2024-2025 resurfacing project on the bridge, committee reports and the 2025 meeting schedule. The authority also is scheduled to meet in closed session to review safety and security at the bridge. The meeting is scheduled to begi… Read More

25 millionth Mackinac Bridge crosser returns to celebrate 50-year anniversary

Posted on May 31st, 2024

On May 21, 1974, Bob Kuchar was a 24-year-old General Motors employee on vacation when he crossed the Mackinac Bridge on his 1972 Suzuki 250 motorcycle. Turns out, he was riding the 25 millionth vehicle to cross the bridge since it opened in 1957. On May 23, 2024, Kuchar made the trip again – crossing in his 2017 Ford F-… Read More

The Mighty Mac’s Expanded Antarctic Connection

Posted on April 17th, 2024

When Brendan Fisher began his 13-month adventure as a heavy equipment mechanic for the United States Antarctic Program (USAP), he brought pieces of the Mackinac Bridge with him. When he returned, he brought a piece back, as well as stories to accompany it, that he presented this month to the Mackinac Bridge Authorit… Read More

Repaving on Mackinac Bridge starts March 25

Posted on March 11th, 2024

The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) will begin a two-season repaving project on the bridge’s north viaduct and approach truss spans March 25, weather permitting. Repaving, deck repairs, and joint repairs on the two northbound lanes of the bridge will begin March 25 and is scheduled to be completed by May 23. Traf… Read More

Mackinac Bridge joint replacement work begins Sept. 6

Posted on August 24th, 2023

The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) will invest nearly $5 million this fall to replace joints on the north viaduct span, with work scheduled to begin Wednesday, Sept. 6. The project includes replacing 11 relief joints and three sliding-plate expansion joints, which are connections in the bridge deck that allow fo… Read More

September Traffic Report

Posted on October 20th, 2016

Robert J. Sweeney, Executive Secretary of the MBA, reported today that 464,394 vehicles crossed the Mackinac Bridge during the month of September compared to 442,402 in 2015. For the month of September, traffic is up 5.0% and fare revenue is up 4.5% compared to last year. The Mackinac Bridge Authority has scheduled… Read More

9th Annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing

Posted on September 9th, 2016

The 9th Annual Mackinac Bridge Antique Tractor Crossing drew an amazing 1,326 tractors on Friday, Sept. 9. Each year the event, sponsored by Owosso Tractor Parts, has grown and evolved. This year’s event started Thursday, Sept. 8, with staging of tractors on the Mackinaw City side of the bridge. The tractors bega… Read More

45,000 strode the Mighty Mac for annual bridge walk

Posted on September 7th, 2016

Beautiful weather greeted more than 45,000 people who came to walk the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day. It’s one of the largest crowds for the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk since the 50th anniversary walk in 2007, when 60,000 walked the bridge. Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Executive Secretary Bob Sweeney said… Read More

Mackinac Bridge posters and tokens

Posted on September 6th, 2016

If you’ve got a Mackinac Bridge fan in the family, the Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) has anniversary posters, commemorative tokens, and medallions available for purchase by mail or in the authority’s administration building in St. Ignace. “Admirers of the bridge who missed out on the first run of anniver… Read More

Late summer brings peak traffic, special events to the Mackinac Bridge

Posted on August 22nd, 2016

Most would agree that summer goes by too fast in northern Michigan. But August doesn’t just mark the end of summer at the Mackinac Bridge; it’s the annual peak of traffic with a host of fun events ahead. Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Executive Secretary Bob Sweeney believes this late-summer traffic s… Read More