Michigan’s Mackinac Bridge Just Hit a Record Nobody Wanted

If you have been trying to go across the Mackinac Bridge this winter, there's a good chance you've run into some delays… and honestly, we've figured out why.

This season has been one for the record books, but not in a way that is good for anyone. The bridge has already shut down 12 times, which is more closures than we've seen in decades. Normally, you might only see something like this happen once a year, if that.

So what’s behind all of this?

This year, it has come down to the weather. Between constant storms, freezing rain, and temperatures bouncing back and forth, ice has been building up on the bridge more than usual. And when that starts breaking loose, it's not just a minor problem—it’s a danger for everyone on the bridge.

Could you imagine seeing a huge chunk of ice falling from hundreds of feet up? That could seriously damage vehicles, or worse.

The bridge itself is structurally fine, so it isn’t about the safety of the bridge at the end of the day. It’s more out of concern for drivers. When conditions get bad, they shut it down to avoid anyone possibly getting hurt.

It is a major headache for a lot of people, though. These closures have been disrupting travel for locals, truck drivers, and anyone trying to get between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

The hardest part of it all? It’s not always just one closure per storm. It is typically the aftereffect of the ice, as the bridge can open and close multiple times during a weather event. Add in the possibility of ice accumulating above, and that becomes dangerous.