Mackinac Bridge Walk Set To Return In September

ST. IGNACE, MI — The annual Mackinac Bridge Walk will return in September after it was canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority on Friday confirmed that the annual walk would return on Sept. 6 after hearing updates from staff during its regular meeting at Mackinac Island City Hall.

"I am thrilled that the Mackinac Bridge Authority has enabled the Labor Day Bridge Walk, a cherished tradition, to move forward this year," Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement following the board's announcement. "After the year we have all had, I know how excited we are to get back to activities and attending events that we all love. Michigan is putting one foot in front of the other as we continue our economic jumpstart, and I am so glad that we can enjoy this great tradition to close out a Pure Michigan summer."

The walk has been a tradition for many Michiganders during its 60 years in existence. Between 25,000 and 30,000 people have participated in recent years.

Walkers will have the opportunity of 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 or walking the entire length of the bridge starting from either end.

The bridge is closed to public traffic during the walk. Emergency vehicles will still be permitted to cross the bridge, but no public vehicles will be allowed until the walk concludes and participants are off the bridge.