Repaving project to begin this month for Mackinac Bridge’s northbound lanes

First phase begins March 25; project scheduled to be done by May 23

The Mackinac Bridge’s northbound lanes will be repaved starting on March 25, weather permitting, according to Mackinac Bridge Authority officials.

This is the first phase of a $9.4 million repaving project and includes deck and joint repairs and is scheduled to be done by May 23.

Work will resume in late March 2025 with repaving of the two southbound lanes. The overall project is scheduled to be completed, with all lanes reopened, by May 22, 2025.

The busiest times are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekends, leading to traffic backups despite all toll lanes being open. Bridge authority officials are asking travelers to consider crossing at offpeak times or prepare for delays.

Traffic volume on the bridge varies greatly through the year, from roughly 7,500 a day during January and February to 20,000 during peak travel in July and August, said Bridge Authority spokesman James Lake. From March through May, daily

Drivers can expect one-lane traffic in each direction during construction.

crossings average from 7,500 to 12,000.

Drivers can expect onelane traffic in each direction during construction. If the weather cooperates and work proceeds according to plans, lane closures will end after May 23.

The bridge authority’s chief engineer, Cole Cavalieri, said the best time to do the work “unfortunately coincides with the highest traffic volume” but this year they have scheduled the work early to avoid disrupting peak traffic during the summer months.

Another change once construction starts: Wideload restrictions will start for any vehicles wider than 10 feet. The rule will apply to both directions of traffic. Wider loads will be allowed to cross once per day between 7 and 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and traffic will be stopped for brief periods for those crossings.

The St. Ignace Visitors Bureau is temporarily replacing the annual Jeep the Mac bridge crossing with an alternative Bridge the Yoop event May 10 to 12.

The bridge authority’s sole source of funding comes from tolls and fees. The money is used to maintain, operate and protect the bridge. The MBA’s sole source of funding is from tolls and fees collected, with all revenue used to maintain, operate, and protect the bridge. People can check live traffic camera views of the bridge, updates on bridge conditions, toll rates, and learn more about the MacPass program at www. MackinacBridge.org.