(WWJ) The Michigan Department of Transportation is defending recent closures of the Mackinac Bridge due to a build up of ice on the cables and bridge towers.
Kim Nowack, Director of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, said that while they know these bridge closures are a big inconvenience to drivers, it's a safety issue.
Why the Mackinac Bridge Authority closes the bridge due to falling ice
"So we have had our maintenance vehicles damaged by falling ice. We've had roofs caved in our pickup trucks, windshields broken, and the drivers were very scared when that happened, obviously," Nowack said.
"Fortunately, they haven't been injured. We haven't had any injuries resulting from the falling ice," she added.
However, in a video released by MDOT on Tuesday, Joe Shampine, Maintenance Supervisor for the Mighty Mac, said he's seen massive ice chunks fall onto the bridge that could seriously injure a person, or worse.
"You know, we've got spears that come off of those suspender cables, and it's just like a spear coming down to the road bed; and just imagine what that would do to your car," Shampine said.
"We see it all the time. It comes down, and it'll crush ya; it'll kill ya. I mean, and people don't see that."
MDOT officials have been trying to figure out a way to prevent the ice, which is the result of changing weather patterns.
Drivers can check on bridge closures and conditions at this link.
Related
Related
