State Rep. Parker Fairbairn has presented a proposal for Michigan Tech University to conduct a study to determine the cause and to propose solutions to the sharp increase in Mackinac Bridge closures due to falling ice in recent years.
The bridge had to be closed more times, and for longer durations, this winter than in any previous year.
“The Mackinac Bridge is the linchpin connecting Michigan’s two peninsulas,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “When the bridge closes, it puts serious strain on families, workers, and businesses across the state. Safety has to come first, but closures have become far more frequent in recent years. This study is intended to determine what’s causing the increased frequency of hazardous conditions and to propose improvements that can be implemented to reduce disruptions in the future.”
Over the past 30 years, the Mackinac Bridge has averaged roughly one closure per year. This year alone, it has closed at least a dozen times, with some closures lasting more than 30 hours.
“We all understand that closing the bridge is sometimes necessary to keep people safe, and we also know that every closure creates problems for commuters, travelers and businesses,” Fairbairn said. “Drivers can be stranded for hours, businesses lose money, and deliveries are delayed. In the past, one closure nearly resulted in a fuel shortage in the eastern U.P. because supply trucks couldn’t get through.”
The $600,000 appropriation would provide researchers at Michigan Technological University the resources necessary to examine factors such as structural conditions, road surface issues, and weather patterns that may be contributing to bridge closures. The study would also evaluate the economic impact shutdowns have on travelers, businesses, and local communities.
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