In the regular monthly bridge crossing statistics release from the International Bridge Authority, an interesting item stood out.
“The International Bridge has processed 99.6 million vehicles and is forecast to exceed the major milestone of 100 million bridge crossings in January of 2018.”
Imagine that for a moment, 100,000,000 (one hundred million).
The bridge opened on October 31st 1962, and over fifty years later wheels will roll across daily as always.
Next month, one of those crossing might be the big one!
The 100 millionth crossing, an incredible milestone.
Bridge crossing statistics for Oct 2017:
One-way traffic crossings of the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie totaled 126,907 for the month of October 2017.
This figure represents an increase of 2.8%, a difference of 3,464 crossings as compared to October, 2016.
Full-fare passenger cars: 50,385
Communter Fare: 65,105
Car pulling trailers: 3,445
Commercial Trucks: 7,972
Total crossings: 126,907
The International Bridge self-funds operations with toll revenue. Operations include the bridge structure, the Bridge Authority plaza, all maintenance facilities, and all ongoing building support costs and maintenance for the Canada Border Services Agency facility. As for the construction of the Canadian Plaza Redevelopment Project, it is a Canadian capital project which is financed separately by The Federal Bridge Corporation Limited (FBCL), through the Canadian Gateways and Border Crossing funds.
Some stats from 1962 when the bridge opened, my oh my how things have changed since then!!!
Average Cost of new house $12,500.00
Average Income per year $5,556.00
Average monthly rent $110.00 per month
Tuition to Harvard University $1,520.00
All Wheel Drive Scout off road $2,150.00
Renault Imported car $1,395.00
Average Cost of a new car $3,125.00
Eggs per dozen 32 cents
Gas per Gallon 28 cents
Most popular autos:
1962 Ford Fairlane
1962 Pontiac Grand Prix.
Ford F-Series
The new hit on TV for that year was “The Beverly Hillbillies” and the first of the James Bond movies “Dr No” premiered.
Marvel’s Spider-Man superhero makes his first appearance in a comic
Canadian Federal Election 1962 John Diefenbaker ( Progressive Conservatives ) defeats Lester B. Pearson (Liberal )
John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth in February of 1962
The Cuban Missle Crisis
Marilyn Monroe serenades President Kennedy on his birthday. (she also died in August 1962)
Johnny Carson begins as presenter for The Tonight Show
The Space Needle an observation tower in Seattle, Washington is completed in time for the 1962 World’s Fair
The First Wal-Mart discount store is opened by by Sam Walton in Bentonville Arkansas
The first Kmart department store opens in Garden City, Michigan
It would be awesome if the 100 millionth car to pass the toll had confetti pour down on it with balloons and bells and whistles and they won a free travel around the world trip. lol Probably not practical considering everyone would think there was some kind of terrorist attack going on or something.
I remember when it was built thats a long time ago
Sydney Peters
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