Most island bridges stay open — but some close for ice.

It depends on the bridge.

Major bridges to inhabited islands — like the Mackinac Bridge, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, or the Coronado Bridge — are designed to be open year-round. They have snow removal and ice monitoring crews. But they can close temporarily during extreme winter storms, high winds, or icing conditions. That’s not a regular winter closure; it’s a safety measure.

Smaller bridges — especially seasonal ice roads or bridges in remote northern areas (like the bridges to some islands in the Great Lakes or Canada’s northern territories) — may close for the entire winter once ice becomes unsafe, or they may only open when the ice is thick enough. Those are rare for typical travel.

If you’re planning to drive to an island in winter, check the bridge operator’s website or call the local DOT before you go. No bridge