LANSING — The Michigan House passed a bill this week that would increase penalties for trespassing onto restricted parts of the Mackinac Bridge.

The proposal would designate parts of the bridge as a ‘key facility’, giving those areas the same level of protection as water treatment infrastructure and hazardous material storage.

The bill — HB 4470 — would increase the penalty for trespassing on the bridge to a felony punishable by up to four years in prison or $2,500.

Rep. Parker Fairbairn, (R) District 107, Harbor Springs, is a sponsor of the bill. He says that smooth operation of the Mackinac Bridge is essential for connecting the two peninsulas and facilitating commerce.

“What it does is list the Mackinac Bridge as a critical piece of infrastructure — and what that’s going to allow

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