Mackinac Bridge Sees Record Number of Ice Closures

Falling ice forces 12 shutdowns on Michigan's iconic suspension bridge this winter.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:26am

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The Mackinac Bridge Authority in Michigan has reported a record 12 closures of the five-mile suspension bridge this winter season due to dangerous falling ice, surpassing the previous high. While no injuries have been reported, several vehicles have sustained damage from the falling ice.

Why it matters

The Mackinac Bridge is a critical transportation link between Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas, and repeated closures due to extreme winter weather conditions can have significant economic and logistical impacts on the region. This record-breaking number of ice-related shutdowns highlights the growing challenges posed by climate change and the need for infrastructure resilience.

The details

The Mackinac Bridge Authority confirmed that the iconic suspension bridge over the Straits of Mackinac has been closed 12 times this winter season due to falling ice, a new record that exceeds the previous high of 10 closures. While no injuries to drivers or passengers have been reported, several vehicles have sustained damage from the falling ice. The bridge authority has worked to clear ice buildup and monitor conditions, but the extreme winter weather has proven difficult to manage.

  • The Mackinac Bridge has been closed 12 times this winter season (2025-2026).
  • The previous record for ice-related closures was 10 times.

The players

Mackinac Bridge Authority

The government agency responsible for operating and maintaining the Mackinac Bridge, a five-mile suspension bridge connecting Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

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What’s next

The Mackinac Bridge Authority will continue to monitor weather conditions and ice buildup on the bridge, and work to improve safety and resilience measures to prevent future closures.

The takeaway

The record number of ice-related closures on the Mackinac Bridge this winter underscores the growing challenges posed by extreme weather events driven by climate change, and the need for critical infrastructure to be designed and maintained with increased resilience to withstand the impacts of a changing climate.