May 5, 2009 -- Robert J. Sweeney, Executive Secretary of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, reported today that 230,508 vehicles crossed the Mackinac Bridge during the month of April. For the first time in over a year (15 months), this represents a 9.3 percent increase when compared to the 210,946 crossings during April 2008. Fare revenue for the month of April was down 1.0 percent compared to 2008, primarily due to a 15.9 percent decline in commercial traffic. Overall, traffic is up 0.6 percent in 2009 over the same period last year.
"We are cautiously optimistic that more people will cross, than we forecasted, during the upcoming tourist season," said Sweeney. "Six months ago we wouldn't have predicted an increase in traffic. However, we are in positive territory for traffic this year and these numbers are very encouraging," he added.
In 2007, the Mackinac Bridge reached a milestone - the 50-year anniversary of the opening of the bridge.
Over the next decade the bridge will undergo some unprecedented preservation and rehabilitation projects. These major projects will ensure that the Mackinac Bridge continues to maintain high marks in the structural integrity of the bridge and provide pleasurable and expedient passages over the Straits of Mackinac.
The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) is committed to preserving and maintaining the State of Michigan's icon for another 50 years and beyond. Regardless of traffic volumes, the MBA will work diligently on its long-term preservation strategy to continuously review and implement a variety of cost-saving measures, as appropriate.
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