All of Michigan's international border crossings will briefly close on Friday, Sept. 11, in observance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the Michigan Department of Transportation announced Wednesday, Sept. 9.
"Traffic will be cleared before "8:46 a.m.," MDOT said in a news release posted on Facebook and Instagram. "At that time, taps will be played as the flag is raised, followed by a moment of silence at all ports of entry. Motorists should expect closures of approximately 30 minutes or less."
Twenty-five yearsafter theSept. 11 terrorist attacks, the nation is preparing to mark the solemn milestone. Nearly 3,000 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, when al-Qaida terrorists hijacked four commercial airliners and crashed them into the World
Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field outside Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The first plane struck one of the North Tower at 8:46 a.m. that day. Minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower. A third hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77, slammed into the Pentagon, while a fourth aircraft, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers fought back against the attackers.
A total of 2,977 people were killed in the attacks, not including the 19 hijackers, according to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum.
Michigan border crossings affected by the 9/11 observances include the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge, Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron, and Gordie Howe International Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel and the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.
Officials say motorists should plan accordingly and allow extra time if crossing a border on Friday morning.
Normal operations will resume immediately after the observance.
What do you need to cross an international border?
Like all U.S.-Canada border crossings, those entering Canada require IDsuch as a passport, passport card, enhanced license, or NEXUS card to cross.
USA TODAY contributed
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Taps, flag raising at U.S. border crossings. What to expect Friday
