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COLLINS LANDING, N.Y. - The Thousand Islands International Bridge is marking 70 years since its opening with a celebration planned for Aug. 16.

More than 85 million vehicles are estimated to have passed over the bridge system since U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Canada's Prime Minister Mackenzie King cut the ribbon on Aug. 18, 1938, before a crowd of 25,000 people. The bridge was built in 16 months and cost US$3 million. Car rates have only doubled since the opening fee of $1.25 each way. The bridges provide easy passage between the U.S. and Canada, linking Interstate 81 in New York and Highway 401 in Ontario, over the St. Lawrence River.

The celebration will run from noon to 3 p.m. and will include an ice cream social, a vintage car display and prizes. At night a fireworks display is planned over Boldt Castle, a six-storey, 120-room Italian Renaissance-style mansion.

The unique multi-span bridge covers about 14 kilometres, crossing the international border between Wellesley Island on the U.S. side and Canada's Hill Island. From the view on the bridges, you can see more than 200 islands.

Exactly how many islands are in the Thousand Islands region is a matter of debate. Some say there are as many as 1,700 to 1,800, though many of these are little more than a rock in the river with a tree on them. Other islands house castles, grand hotels and Victorian-style homes from the Gilded Age era when the area was a playground for rich industrialists and other wealthy vacationers.