Drivers and people participating in the annual Mackinac Bridge Labor Day Walk can get up to the minute alerts through their cell phone.
The Mackinac Bridge Authority, along with Mackinac County 911, will send updates now through Labor Day. Alerts will focus on event schedule reminders, traffic notifications, weather updates, and emergency notifications.
"With the changes taking place during this year's walk, we're trying to reach as many travelers and bridge walk participants as possible," said Bob Sweeney, executive secretary of the MBA. "We really appreciate Mackinac County 911/Emergency Management's willingness to make this system available for notifications on this event."
Only buses used to transport walkers to the starting point for the walk and emergency service vehicles will be allowed on the bridge during the event. All other vehicle traffic will be stopped from 6:30 am to noon while event participants are on the bridge.
The MBA made the decision during a special board meeting May 16, citing safety and security recommendations by the Michigan State Police and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Every year, between 30,000 and 60,000 people from several states and countries come to the Mackinac Bridge for the Annual Bridge Walk, which has taken place since 1958, the year after the bridge opened to traffic. The event will begin at 6:40 a.m. with the start of the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness Jog, followed by a greeting from Gov. Rick Snyder at 6:55 a.m. Walkers will begin across the bridge at 7 a.m.
To opt in to this text alert system:
1. Text “mackinacbridgewalk2017” to 67283
2. Users will receive a reply “Welcome to the Mackinac Bridge Walk 2017 text alerting system,” verifying participation in the text alerting system for the event.
3. Users can opt out by sending a reply “STOP mackinacbridgewalk2017” if they no longer wish to receive text messages/alerts. Messages will automatically stop on Sept. 5.
