Emergency Incident Completely Shuts Down Mackinac Bridge

Update: The Mackinac Bridge is back open after being shut down for several hours. A high wind warning remains in effect.

Police have now confirmed the closure was caused by a serious two-vehicle crash. One southbound vehicle rear-ended another, injuring multiple people, including two seriously.

The Mackinac Bridge was completely shut down this morning what officials initially called an emergency incident.

MDOT first reported the closure around 3:32 a.m. The bridge was closed in both directions, leaving drivers unable to travel between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

Why Is the Mackinac Bridge Closed?

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For several hours, officials only described the situation as an emergency incident and didn’t say exactly what happened.

As of 7:35 Wednesday morning, the bridge was still completely shut down with no word on when it might reopen.

The bridge has since reopened, but a high wind warning remains in effect. Anyone planning to cross should still check the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s current conditions page before heading that way.

Closure Comes One Day After Tragic Bridge Anniversary

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There’s also some eerie timing surrounding today’s closure.

Yesterday marked 37 years since Leslie Ann Pluhar was killed when her Yugo went over the side of the Mackinac Bridge on September 22, 1989.

A lot of people still believe the tiny car was blown off the bridge, but that’s not exactly what happened. According to the Mackinac Bridge Authority, a police report estimated the Yugo was traveling more than 60 mph. Wind may have played a role, but officials say it did not blow the car over the railing.

It’s a strange coincidence considering the timing.