A favorite project of many ironworkers, a National Historic Civil Engineering landmark, and a vital link between Michigan's two peninsulas, the Mackinac Bridge has had a major impact on the lives of many. People will be able to appreciate the grace of the superstructure while they cross the bridge at a leisurely pace during the 53rd Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk Monday, September 6. Some 40,000 to 60,000 people are expected to join the walk.

A long-standing tradition that has attracted people from all over the nation, the walk takes participants across the bridge from St. Ignace and into Mackinaw City. This year's walk is named in honor of Lawrence Rubin of St. Ignace, the bridge's first executive secretary who was instrumental in its construction and in establishing the annual bridge walk. Mr. Rubin directed operations at the bridge for 32 years. He died May 11 at age 97.

The St. Ignace Kiwanis Club will continue to sell copies of Mr. Rubin's book, “Mighty Mac, The Official Picture History of the Mackinac Bridge,” at the south end of the bridge. This year, the books will feature a commemorativ e bookmark in Mr. Rubin’s memory. Mr. Rubin donated the publishing rights to the club, and proceeds from the sale of the $20 books will fund local scholarships. For years, Mr. Rubin autographed copies of his book during the event and posed for photographs with walkers.

Parking for the walk can be found at Little Bear East Arena in St. Ignace along with limited parking west of the Mackinac Bridge Authority Plaza area. Buses at Little Bear East Arena will shuttle participants to the Mackinac Bridge at no charge, while buses in Mackinaw City will be available to return them to St. Ignace for $5 a person.

The Mackinac Bridge Authority, host of the walk, suggests parking in Mackinaw City and taking the paid bus to St. Ignace before walking across. Buses will transport people from Mackinaw City beginning at 5:30 a.m. and ending at 2:30 p.m. Bus loading areas in Mackinaw City can be found at Conkling Heritage Park and the State Dock on South Huron Avenue, and 113 buses are scheduled to participate.

Walkers should prepare themselves for the walk before attempting it.

“You have to plan on walking about seven miles,” Executive Secretary Bob Sweeney said. “You want to take your time and have plenty of fluids. It's not a race. Walk at your own comfort level.”

The walk takes an average of 90 minutes to complete, he said, and there are no public rest rooms on the bridge.

The St. Ignace Hockey Association and St. Ignace Band Boosters Club will sell refreshments at the bridge, Mr. Sweeney said

Beginning the event are runners in the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness. Participants in wheelchairs, known as wheelers, will start at 6:35 a.m. and the first wave of runners will start at 6:45 a.m.. The runners were selected by lottery in June. No running or racing is allowed except for those registered for the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness.

Governor Jennifer Granholm will lead the walk at 7 a.m. and address the crowd five to 10 minutes beforehand. The two east lanes of the bridge will be reserved for walkers, while vehicles will use the west lanes to travel. By 9:30 a.m., only one east lane will be used for walkers. Work on the bridge will be suspended. Medical crews will be at both anchor piers of the bridge, Mr. Sweeney said, and Michigan National Guard will be present along the bridge to help in an emergency.

Numbered certificates are awarded at the end of the walk, and recipients could win prizes worth $15 to $150. Each certificate is numbered, and recipients have the entire day to check their number against others found in businesses throughout Mackinaw City and St. Ignace to win.

Ferry boat lines have several early departure times scheduled for Labor Day. Shepler's Mackinac Island Ferry will depart from Mackinaw City to Mackinac Island at 5:30 a.m., and then leave from Mackinac Island to St. Ignace at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. Shepler's will offer shuttles from its St. Ignace dock to the bridge.

Arnold Line will leave the Island for St. Ignace at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m. It also departs from St. Ignace to the Island at 6:30 a.m.

Star Line will leave Mackinaw City for the Island at 6 a.m., and leave the Island for St. Ignace at 6:30 a.m.