WATZ Today's Country

200 Millionth Vehicle Crosses Big Mac
Thu, 16 Jun 2022 23:27:30 EDT

After opening for traffic on November 1st 1957 - 65 years ago - the 200 millionth vehicle crossed the Mackinac Bridge last evening, and a family from Tawas City has some unusual bragging rights.

Bridge officials were waiting for the event and at 6:18 p.m. they stopped the Dalman family of Tawas City

Kurt Dalman was driving, with passengers Anna Dalman, and their children, Seth and Teresa.

"We’re headed to Pictured Rocks. This will be the kids’ first big hike," Anna Dalman said. "We were very surprised. We had no idea (this milestone was coming up)."

Mackinac Bridge Authority (MBA) Chairman Patrick “Shorty” Gleason, member Caroline Cheeseman, and MBA staff met the Dalmans outside on the toll plaza after they drove their 2021 Toyota Corolla hybrid through the booths, paying $4 cash in the northbound direction. They presented the family a framed print of the Mackinac Bridge, while Amy Millard, executive director of the Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce, and Lora Brown, executive director of the St. Ignace Visitors Bureau, gave them a gift basket full of local items.

On Sept. 6, 2009, Richard Snyder of Clare, Michigan, drove the 150 millionth vehicle across the bridge.

Construction on the Mackinac Bridge began in May 1954 and the completed structure was opened to traffic on Nov. 1, 1957. The MBA's sole source of funding is from tolls and fees collected, with all revenue used to maintain, operate and protect the bridge.

More information about the bridge can be found at www.MackinacBridge.org

Photo(MBA):
The Dalman family of Tawas City, far right, received a local gift basket and a framed print of the Mackinac Bridge after they drove the 200 millionth vehicle across the bridge. Left to right: MBA Chief Bridge Engineer Julie Neph; Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy Millard; St. Ignace Visitors Bureau Executive Director Lora Brown; MBA Member Caroline Cheeseman; MBA Chairman Patrick “Shorty” Gleason; Seth Dalman; Anna Dalman; Teresa Dalman; and Kurt Dalman.