Well, the high winds continue here, please drive careful whenever you are headed up.

As of 9:40 p.m. tonight (Borrowed from mackinacbridge.org)

There is a Partial Bridge Closure

Currently we are experiencing winds of sufficient force in the Straits area to close the Mackinac Bridge to all vehicles except passenger cars, passenger vans, and empty pickup trucks. (THIS MEANS NO SNOWMOBILE TRAILERS) Winds are blowing across the bridge surface in excess of 50 miles per hour.

Motorists are being instructed to reduce their speed to 20 miles per hour as they approach the bridge and be prepared to stop. Bridge personnel are stationed at both ends of the structure to provide instructions regarding how and when to proceed across the bridge.

Passenger cars, passenger vans, and pick-up trucks without campers are being permitted to cross, but drivers are asked to exercise appropriate caution. Strong winds are blowing across the surface of the bridge. Motorists are asked to drive 20 miles per hour or less.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority is monitoring wind speeds at various points along the structure. Additional steps will be implemented if conditions change. When conditions improve, the bridge will be reopened to all vehicles, although certain vehicles may still require an escort. If you are planning to travel to the Straits area, please tune to AM radio 530 or 1610 for updates

Everytime I go across it I have to be in a group with an escort. Wonder if it will be closed tommorow afternoon?

Just checked the bridge cam... NASTY!!

I've been across that bridge NUMEROUS times and never had to have a escort until
the last two times. Which of course, were the last two weeks....

Escorts are one thing, this is a 'partial closure' Only cars, some vans, and PUs (with no caps or covers) are allowed. No way to get a trailer, or semi across right now.

Also, the sleet/freezing rain sounds like it has started here now. 9&10 still calling for 8-14 here, but intellicast.com is only calling for 4-6, john dee is 4-8. I guess we will see.

Either way I am planning to put groomers on the trails on Friday Night, and Sat.

Yeh last weekend they were escorting sure is nice to token and not pull a trialer...

Last Sunday 2/25 we had to be escorted. I was first in line waiting when Yamahauler and I noticed that traffic stopped up ahead in both directions. A clam shell blew off someone's trailer and was wrapped around a pole flapping in the wind. Some of it fell to the ice below and was blowing away. The bridge workers got it down, crumpled it up, and chained it to the side guardrail so traffic could continue.

Click to view attachment

Bridge is back to normal escorts this mornng, and the wind forecasts that I have seen show the the winds should stay about like this all day. You will be escorted, but should get across.

What is an escort never heard of it, unless your talking about the vegas kind?

Yes, THAT kind of escort. That's why they drive so slow- They stop at every pole along the way to dance it up for you. geez....

hahahahahaha!!!!

You're joking, right?

you guys crack me up

No shit snowx -of course I am joking! Ease up man.

I know a secret route ,'' no more tolls or escorts "...

K, I was getting worried there for a minute..........

I crossed around 5pm thursday and my tonneau cover flew off and over the bridge pulled the snaps rite off the frame.....Not sure but on the way back across I think I saw a youper using it as a ice shanny....anyone have a old cover there dont use????

Your loss his gain! LOL

Thats why they call them CLAMSHELLS

I crossed thursday night about 10pm. They made me take my tonneau cover off and put everything that was in the bed out and put it in the back seat of my truck. I sure am glad dale at the eveningstar motel in newberry let us keep the trailer there last week. That was the worst weather I have driven in. I can't count how many I times I had to stop on the freeway becuase I couldn't see my hood. Took 7 hours thur. night without a trailer and 5 hours sun. pulling a trailer.

They closed the bridge as we approached Thurs evening, March 1. A little homework before trip NOAA was predicting peak winds 9PM-4AM ... figured if we got up there by 7PM we'd be OK - WRONG. Normally we're to the bridge in 2-1/2 hrs, was 4 hrs Thurs night.

The thing to remember this time of year is that there are not many rooms in Mackinaw City in winter. We got one of the last available at Vindel Motel - was a fair deal, and I'd stay there again. I think it was total $59 for a 3-bed room - not bad compared to some of other rates we got from the newer ones by the water.

Have had lots of escorts going over and back. Only got shut out twice ... and it's always ON THE WAY UP!!! Why can't I get stranded UP for a change???

Dave PolarisRider