The iconic Mackinac Bridge opened to traffic on November 1, 1957 and as of 6:18 p.m. 199,999,999 cars had crossed it.
And then came the Dalman family.
Wednesday night, the Dalman family of Tawas City can say their car was the 200 millionth vehicle to cross the Mackinac Bridge.
They were headed up to the Pictured Rocks and didn’t see this coming.
“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).”
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
Mackinac Bridge Authority Chairman Patrick Gleason and the MBA staff met the Dalmans outside on the toll plaza after they drove their car through the booths. They gave the family a framed print of the Mackinac Bridge along with a gift basket full of local items.
“It’s our customers who pay the tolls that support the ongoing operation and maintenance of the Mackinac Bridge, so it’s only right that we recognize this milestone in the bridge’s 65-year history,” Gleason said on the occasion. “The bridge has been a critical connection for our state for more than six decades now, but it’s remarkable to know that so many vehicles, and countless more people, have crossed in that time.”
For context, the 150 millionth vehicle crossed in September of 2009.
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