NEWS - Mackinac Bridge traffic up each month in 2015

Michigan DOT sent this bulletin at 01/08/2016 09:41 AM EST
 
Mackinac Bridge Authority

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016

 

CONTACT: Bob Sweeney, Mackinac Bridge Authority, 906-643-7600

 

Mackinac Bridge traffic up each month in 2015

 

January 8, 2016 -- The Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) announced today that bridge traffic during each of the last 13 months has increased over the prior year, a positive trend through 2015.

             "The improving economy is likely the largest factor driving this increase in traffic, with low fuel prices, our special events, and travel advertising contributing as well," said MBA Executive Secretary Bob Sweeney. "While it's too soon to determine whether this represents a long-term trend for the bridge, it's very encouraging news moving forward."

             The upward trend began in December 2014, when 201,024 vehicles crossed, up 0.2 percent over December 2013, when 200,602 vehicles crossed. In 2015, traffic increased as follows:

                                                                2014                                                   2015

January                                                  158,283                                              176,277 (+11.4 percent)

February                                                169,044                                              175,559 (+3.9 percent)

March                                                    195,514                                              204,994 (+4.8 percent)

April                                                       199,561                                              217,782 (+9.1 percent)                                 

May                                                        304,387                                              325,012 (+6.8 percent)

June                                                        382,191                                              399,344 (+ 4.5 percent)

July                                                         528,796                                              566,995 (+ 7.2 percent)

August                                                   563,113                                              569,468 (+ 1.1 percent)

September                                              381,450                                              442,402 (+ 16 percent)

October                                                  331,358                                              365,907 (+ 10.4 percent)

November                                              229,900                                              260,171 (+ 13.2 percent)

December                                               201,024                                              210,450 (+ 4.7 percent)

             In 2015, a total of 3,914,361 vehicles crossed the Mackinac Bridge, compared to a total of 3,644,612 vehicles in 2014. Overall, 269,740 more vehicles crossed in 2015 than the previous year, an increase of 7.4 percent.

             The MBA's sole source of funding is from tolls and fees collected at the bridge, with all revenue used to maintain, operate and protect the 58-year-old National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. As traffic increases, so does the bridge's funding for maintenance and capital projects.

             "The Mackinac Bridge Authority has scheduled $180 million in preventive maintenance work over the next decade, and $400 million in the next 20 years," Sweeney said. "Increased bridge traffic will help ensure that we have the necessary revenue to keep the bridge structurally sound and safe for everyone."

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Download MDOT's Mi Drive traffic information app: www.michigan.gov/drive