AASHTO Journal, 29 August 2014
While many Americans look forward to a few days of rest over the Labor Day weekend, the Michigan Department of Transportation is preparing to welcome more than 40,000 guests to the 5-mile-long Mackinac Bridge for the 57th annual bridge walk.
For the third year in a row, the Mackinac Bridge Authority and the Michigan Department of Transportation are asking the public to share their bridge walk experiences on social media with photos and videos. One person sharing their memories will be chosen at random to receive a once-in-a-lifetime tour to the top of the Mackinac Bridge. Memories can be posted on MDOT’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT, or on Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #MightyMacWalk14. For contest details, go to the MDOT website www.michigan.gov/mdot.
Skimming through some of the comments already posted at the MDOT Facebook page reveals how meaningful some find walking across the Mackinac Bridge. Jane H Sternemann wrote, “My first walk over the bridge was in 2011. I had survived colorectal cancer and I really wanted to do something that proved I beat it! It took me a couple of years to build up stamina for the walk, but I was able to complete it with my husband, son and daughter-in-law, daughter and son-in-law and grandson as well as the grandson that my daughter was still carrying (she was pregnant). We had a wonderful walk and lunch following at Audie’s.”
Another Facebook user, Jill Moyer, wrote, “My favorite one will be this years. I am putting aside my fear of the bridge and walking it for the first time with my son who is turning 12 on the first. He is so excited to do this for his birthday.”
This year’s event will include Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who will lead the walk beginning at 7 a.m. on Sept. 1. All details on the walk are available on the MBA website at www.mackinacbridge.org.