Dip in Mackinac Bridge Traffic in Line With Area Tourism, International Bridge Crossings

By Ellen Paquin

Traffic crossing the Mackinac Bridge last year dipped 2.2 percent, likely reflecting consumer confidence, gas prices, and the general Michigan economy, said Bob Sweeney, executive secretary of the Mackinac Bridge Authority. In 2004, 4,427,334 vehicles crossed the bridge, while 4,528,548 crossed in 2003.

“The bulk of Mackinac Bridge traffic, 70 percent, is tourism traffic,” rather than commercial or commuter traffic, Mr. Sweeney said. “The majority of our traffic comes from population centers in southeast Michigan, more than from other states.”

Mackinac Bridge traffic is one economic indicator for the Upper Peninsula, Mr. Sweeney said, noting that “Michigan Tourism Business” published by Michigan State University uses traffic statistics gathered at the bridge and other highways to track industry travel volume trends.

“Our traffic level generally falls in line with tourism in the area,” Mr. Sweeney said. “We track a lot of information, and although there is not a consistent drop of 2.2 percent across the board, we do notice consistent patterns between our bridge traffic and traffic across northern lower Michigan.”

The International Bridge in Sault Ste. Marie reported a similar drop in 2004 traffic of 2.6 percent, compared to 2003. Commuter crossings represent a larger segment of traffic on the International Bridge, making up about 40 percent.

Mr. Sweeney said the fluctuation in Mackinac Bridge traffic is not likely linked to the 2003 toll increase of $1.50 per crossing to $2.50 per crossing for passenger vehicles, which will help fund maintenance on the 50-year-old structure. The bridge is undergoing an $18 million, three-year paint job.

Within the 2.2 downturn across the board, some traffic segments have fluctuated. Commercial traffic, making up about 7 percent of total volume, fell 2.8 percent in 2004.

Recreational vehicle traffic, monitored at the bridge only since 2003, makes up one percent of overall crossings, and fell significantly (12.7 percent) last year from 2003 levels, possibly linked to higher gas prices this year, Mr. Sweeney said.

Some traffic redistribution has been noted in the commuter segment. Crossings classified as commuter traffic have grown from approximately 7.0 percent in recent years to 17.3 percent of all bridge traffic in 2004, which Mr. Sweeney attributes to the 40 percent commuter discount provided for the first time with the 2003 toll restructuring.

“Anybody who uses the bridge frequently will tend to use the commuter rate, because of the discount,” Mr. Sweeney said. In May 2003, tolls at the bridge were restructured from $1.50 per crossing to $2.50 per crossing, with commuter crossings available for $1.50 each.

Traffic at the bridge has fluctuated within a few percentage points over the past several years. Compared to each year previous, traffic in 1999 was up .09 percent, then down 3.7 percent in 2000 and 1.7 percent in 2001 before climbing 1.2 percent in 2002. Crossings fell 4.3 percent in 2003 and 2.2 percent in 2004.

A look at the actual number of vehicle crossings in 1999 compared to those in 2004 reveals that 4,936,417 crossed five years ago, while 4,427,334 crossed last year.

Industry projections for the coming year by Michigan Department of Transportation show a one percent increase in traffic for the Straits area, Mr. Sweeney said.