Mackinac Bridge reaches 150 millionth vehicle milestone

Contact: Bob Felt, MDOT Office of Communications, 989-619-7963

Agency: Transportation

September 2, 2009 -- The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA), in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), today announced that the 150 millionth vehicle will cross the Mackinac Bridge this Labor Day weekend. According to MBA officials, the milestone is expected to occur sometime between 6 and 11 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6.

"Back in 1957, Prentiss M. Brown welcomed the first vehicle. Now, 52 years later his granddaughter, Vice Chair Barbara J. Brown, will welcome the 150 millionth vehicle to cross," said MBA Board Chairman William H. Gnodtke. "This is another important event in the history of Michigan's iconic transportation landmark."

The Mackinac Bridge will host a small ceremony whenever the milestone is reached during the upcoming holiday weekend. Board members, local officials, MBA and MDOT staff will be on hand to celebrate this event.

On a related note, traffic volume is up for the fifth month in a row at the Mackinac Bridge. For the month of August 2009, traffic increased by 0.7 percent over the same period last year.