Latest news with #KimNowack
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Construction delays mean Mackinac Bridge lane closures will continue through holiday weekend
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A heads up for travelers hitting the road for Memorial Day weekend: A construction project on the Mackinac Bridge has run long, meaning lane closures will continue through next week. The project , repairing and repaving the southbound lanes and replacing a modular joint over one of the bridge's piers. Inside Live traffic conditions The project was supposed to be wrapped up by May 22, but the cold, rainy start to spring delayed the work, including the March that closed the bridge to traffic for several days. 'We worked with the contractor to ensure that the planned work could be completed prior to the Memorial Day weekend, but poor weather conditions delayed this year's start of work and the modular joint installation took longer than expected,' Mackinac Bridge Authority Bridge Director Kim Nowack . 'Unfortunately, this means that there will be lane closures in place for the holiday weekend, but crews are working diligently to wrap the project up and get those lanes reopened.' The MBA says traffic typically peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends. Backups are common, even with all toll lanes open, so the MBA recommends drivers consider crossing at 'off-peak' times if they can. Police call off chase at Mackinac Bridge, driver caught in St. Ignace Interestingly, the project for the northbound lanes was done last year and also ran past Memorial Day. 'While Memorial Day weekend typically marks the seasonal increase in traffic volumes on the bridge, we fortunately did not see backups during last year's work, and traffic flowed smoothly,' Nowack stated. 'We hope that will be the case this holiday weekend.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Mackinac Bridge still closed Thursday
The Mackinac Bridge in northern Michigan remains closed Thursday due to the threat of falling ice. The bridge has closed intermittently this week after a severe ice storm hit the northern part of the state, including the Straits region. The bridge's latest closure started at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. Bridge workers have called the amount of ice unprecedented, according to the Mackinac Bridge Authority, which is continuing the monitor dramatically changing conditions. Dangerous ice sheets, spears and chunks have been falling from the bridge, sometimes from hundreds of feet. Winds have also shaken the suspended cables and knocked ice loose. Mackinac Bridge Director Kim Nowack in a news release Wednesday urged travelers to avoid coming to the area since local emergency and relief services are strained, many businesses are closed and power outages remain. Nowack also warned travelers not to go to the Straits area expecting to cross the bridge. More: Mackinac Bridge closed again Wednesday for falling ice: Don't expect to cross "Given the amount of ice that remains on the cables and towers, any falling ice closures are likely to be lengthy, and could start and stop at any time," Nowack said. For updates on the Mackinac Bridge closures, check condition reports online at on X at @MackinacBridge or by signing up for text alerts by texting "MacBridge" to 67283. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Mackinac Bridge still closed Thursday due to falling ice
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Major construction project resumes on Mackinac Bridge
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Construction work is set to resume Monday on a major two-season project on the Mackinac Bridge. According to the , the northbound side of the bridge was repaired and repaved last spring. This year, the work will focus on repairing and repaving the southbound lanes and replacing a modular joint over one of the bridge's piers. Mighty Mac included in list of bridges to be assessed Barring weather restrictions, repaving will start Monday along with work to replace the modular joint over Pier 34 at the start of the north viaduct span. The goal is to have that work done by April 26. From April 28 through May 22, construction crews will shift to the northbound side of the bridge to replace the other half of the modular joint. Through both of those stretches, the bridge will be limited to one lane of traffic in each direction. Piece of Mackinac Bridge finds new home at the South Pole Kim Nowack, bridge director of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, says the ultimate goal is to have the work done before the tourist season begins in earnest this summer. 'We've worked closely with the contractor to make sure the planned work can be completed prior to Memorial Day to help avoid delays for travelers,' Nowack . 'Focusing this season's work on the joint replacement and limited repaving should make that deadline achievable.' was scheduled with a similar timeline but delays forced the lane closures to extend into mid-June. A pilot's fateful flight under the Mackinac Bridge MDOT says the busiest time for travelers will be between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends. Travelers are encouraged to consider crossing at 'off-peak times' to try to avoid delays. Wide-load restrictions will be in place during construction. Vehicles wider than 10 feet will be allowed to cross once per day. Regular traffic will be stopped at approximately 7 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays to allow wide-load trucks to cross. Any trucker with a wide load must contact the at least 24 hours in advance and arrive at the bridge in time for the 7 p.m. pass. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Mackinac Bridge construction set to resume March 24
ST. IGNACE — The Mackinac Bridge Authority will resume its joint replacement and repaving project on Monday, March 24, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The two-season project aims to repave parts of the bridge's north viaduct and approach truss spans, with a focus on completing the work before Memorial Day weekend to avoid traffic delays. "We've worked closely with the contractor to make sure the planned work can be completed prior to Memorial Day to help avoid delays for travelers," said Bridge Director Kim Nowack in a statement. "Focusing this season's work on the joint replacement and limited repaving should make that deadline achievable." From March 24 to April 26, crews will replace a modular joint over Pier 34 at the start of the north viaduct span, and repair and repave the southbound lanes of the north viaduct. During this period, the southbound side of the bridge will be closed, with one lane open in each direction on the northbound side. From April 28 to May 22, the northbound side of the bridge will be closed to replace the other half of the modular joint. One lane will be open in each direction on the southbound side. Deck repairs and repaving of the remaining sections of the southbound side will be scheduled as a separate project. Last year, the northbound side was repaired and repaved, but work and lane closures extended into mid-June, despite being scheduled for completion before Memorial Day 2024. Weekend traffic peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. often result in backups, even with all toll lanes open. Drivers are advised to cross at off-peak times or prepare for delays. Wide-load restrictions will be in place for vehicles wider than 10 feet during construction. Wider loads will be allowed to cross once per day at 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, with traffic stopped briefly to accommodate these crossings. Truckers with wide loads must contact the bridge authority 24 hours in advance and arrive before 7 p.m. For more information, call (906) 643-7600. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Mackinac Bridge construction to begin March 24, 2025
