Why can only over-length vehicles utilize their own pilot vehicle and avoid the MBA escort fee?
An over-length vehicle only occupies one lane of traffic. The pilot vehicle provides a warning to motorists to be aware of an over-dimension vehicle. Over-width loads either occupy or travel on the boundary of occupying a second lane of traffic. This requires the MBA to supply an escort due to the bridge’s four-lane configuration to ensure adequate traffic separation of both northbound and southbound auto and commercial traffic. It should be noted that all loads over 90 feet are required to possess a pilot vehicle to travel on an interstate in Michigan. If for any reason an overlength vehicle arrives at the Mackinac Bridge without their own pilot vehicle the Authority will require an MBA escort and the driver will be charged the fee.
