Lake: Yeah, prior to 2017 half of the bridge remained open during the Bridge Walk, that western side, so north and southbound traffic was allowed. What has-I mean obviously we've done a lot but talk about what we've done over the last few years to make sure that members of the public who aren't participating in the Bridge Walk but are traveling that day, you know, north or south are aware that the bridge is closed. That main point is remember to be on the side of the bridge where your car is at 10 a.m.Ĭranson: So, let's go back to that first point for a minute. They have the option to walk part way across the bridge, halfway across and turn back, all the way across, all the way across and back, so lots of options. We're going to reopen the bridge at noon, so we need to make sure that people are on the side of the bridge that they intend to return to by 10 a.m. The second point is, you know, since 2018 we've allowed walkers to start from both ends of the bridge, but we've got that hard window. There won't be any vehicle traffic allowed across the bridge, so we're encouraging people to make their travel plans around that schedule. One is if you're traveling that day, you need to be aware that the Mackinac Bridge is going to be closed from 6:30 a.m. James Lake: Well, think it can be summed up in in two main points. The walk is back on after a year's hiatus. So, James, thanks for taking time to talk about this. In 2020, because of the pandemic, the walk had to be cancelled for the first time in history, but we're pleased to renew this event this year.Ĭranson: Here to talk about this year's walk is James Lake, who is a veteran media relations specialist at MDOT, and he has the North Region, which is much of the northern area of the Lower Peninsula and his duties also include working on communications and media relations for the Mackinac Bridge Authority. Over the years, thousands of people have walked the length of the spectacular span that links our state's pleasant peninsulas. I'm Jeff Cranson, director of communications at the Michigan Department of Transportation.Ĭranson: The Mackinac Bridge Walk is a tradition in Michigan dating back to 1958 when the bridge was first dedicated. This is the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast. Podcast photo: A blue police car stands watch as thousands of people enjoy walking the Mackinac Bridge in 2019. The walk will once again commence on each end of the bridge with most walkers going halfway and turning around so they can end in whichever community they parked a vehicle.ĭespite the changes in the format implemented to ensure the safety and security of walkers, some 30,000 people participated in 2019. to noon to avoid conflicts between public vehicles and runners and walkers on the bridge and The bridge will once again be closed from 6:30 a.m. James Lake, MDOT’s North Region media relations representative who also helps with communications for the Mackinac Bridge, joins the podcast to talk about what to expect this year. Ignace and Mackinaw City on Monday, Sept. After the pandemic forced cancelation last year for the first time since the inaugural walk to mark the bridge’s dedication in 1958, walkers and runners will once again descend on St. On this week’s edition of the Talking Michigan Transportation podcast, a conversation about the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |