Traffic crossing the bridge between the two Saults was up more than 200 per cent in 2022 compared to 2021, the International Bridge Administration says as it shares its year-end numbers.
However, as expected, traffic was still well below pre-pandemic levels.
One-way traffic crossings of the International Bridge at Sault Ste. Marie totaled 57,636 for the month of December 2022, the bridge authority said in a news release.
The difference in crossings compared to December 2021 was 32,962, which represents an increase of 133 per cent for the month.
Still, when comparing December 2022 to pre-pandemic crossings in December 2019, overall traffic was down 42 per cent.
Traffic for the calendar year-to-date on Dec. 31, 2022, came in at 624,960.
This represents a year-to-date increase of nearly 220 per cent compared to 2021, the administration said.
Decembers 2022 numbers:
- Full-Fare Passenger Cars made 25,323 one-way crossings, a 217 per cent increase from December 2021
- Commuter Fare was 27,250, a 155 per cent increase from December 2021
- Cars Pulling Trailers came in at 384, a 12 per cent increase compared to December 2021
- Commercial Trucks came in at 4,679, down 17 per cent from December 2021
The International Bridge funds operational costs with toll revenue, including the bridge structure, maintenance facilities, the Bridge Authority toll plaza, and building maintenance.
The bridge has processed 103.8 million bridge crossings since 1962.
