Supervisor's Weekly E-Letter

October 8, 2004

Wayne County Bridge Reopening Schedule

We are informed that the County bridge should be reopened for vehicular traffic no later than early Monday morning to accommodate morning rush hour traffic. County officials monitoring the work said today they actually hope to have the bridge re-opened by late Sunday afternoon. Please watch signs and tune to Radio GI (AM1700) for updates on the schedule.

Toll Bridge Closings Expected

The Township was notified by the EPA that the toll bridge will have to close to vehicular traffic in order to pull barges back and forth to work on the "Black Lagoon" area of the Detroit River in the Trenton Channel during the next few months. We are told by federal and state officials that TOLL BRIDGE CLOSINGS are scheduled to begin this Monday, October 11 thru December along the following schedule: Monday thru Saturdays, (6 days per week), two times per day at 6:-6:30 A.M. and 7:-7:30 P.M.

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The Email Bag

Doug, What are your responses to the emails people send you? It seems like all these questions about the bridge closures are going unanswered. Are our complaints falling on deaf ears?
Island Resident

Response from the Supervisor: Litigation pending at the Michigan Court of Appeals between the township and the toll bridge company makes any comment regarding the toll bridge matter at this time inappropriate. The township and county over the last two decades have established an excellent working relationship when it comes to road and bridge issues. The taxpayers of GI have been instrumental in achieving this by authorizing a local "road millage" which allows us to match county, state and federal dollars.

There was a time when GI was known as "pothole USA," and bumper stickers advertising this could be seen all over our Island. That is no longer the case. In the last two decades East River, Bridge, Parkway, Macomb, Meridian and half of West River have undergone major rehabilitation, as have many of the small canal crossing bridges in our community (Church, Thorofare, Southpointe, Park Lane). We have also worked to cooperatively pave many formerly gravel roads at the request of residents on those streets. The township is now set to look at Church, the rest of West River and many of the concrete subdivision roads in the center of our community.

The county has a team of bridge engineers and inspectors for all their bridges, including the "Free Bridge." A structure of that age and exposed to the elements will require regular maintenance, and from time to time, major investments which can only be accomplished by closing it to traffic, commentary in Ile Camera "letters to the editor" by uninformed individuals to the contrary notwithstanding. With 11,000 residents, it will always be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid major problems with only one publicly owned bridge under these circumstances. The township and county do attempt to plan for the service interruptions to minimize the inconvenience. The township's actions with regard to the toll bridge are a concerted effort to protect the residents of Grosse Ile.

It is understandable that residents are frustrated with all the work and construction taking place in our community at this time. The state mandated sewer work along Meridian and our installation of critical new water mains along East River and Ferry are both very complicated, very messy and very lengthy projects. We are making a huge effort to insure that we get all this work done as quickly as we can, with as little inconvenience as possible while at the same time insuring a good value for each and every dollar we spend. We are at a point in the history of the community where these major investments in public infrastructure were unavoidable.

Dear Doug, I'm sure you're getting an earful today about the bridge. The whole situation this morning was handled so poorly. I guess the County Bridge was open until 9:00 a.m. I didn't know that and neither did most of the other Island residents as evidenced by the congestion at the Toll Bridge this morning. The traffic lights were still set to flashing, so it was a free-for-all as to who went first onto the bridge. There was also no police presence when I passed through the intersection. Then, contrary to his "promise," Mr. Smoke had his attendants collecting tolls this morning until 9:00 a.m. When I came back on the Island at 3:00 p.m. I was asked for two tokens. So I paid for three bridge crossings today and only received two. This is literally highway robbery by the Bridge Company and something should be done about it. Between my husband and I myself, we will have paid $9.00 for the bridge today!! I'm a regular user of the Toll Bridge, so I'm used to paying the toll, but this is ridiculous! If its really true that the County Bridge will need to shut down for an extended period of time in the future, some other payment arrangement needs to be explored. Why not determine an average crossing fee per month, per household and assess everyone that amount. I know some people that don't go off the Island much will complain about that too. But everyone uses the bridge daily whether they cross it themselves or not. Trucks deliver groceries to Krogers and Nates, gasoline to the Sunoco station, money to the banks, etc. I sincerely hope that there will be a policeman posted at the bridge tomorrow directing traffic. We have all been preparing ourselves for the bridge closure, but when services aren't in place to deal with the heavy traffic and promises are broken, tempers get very short. I been stewing about this all day and I needed to vent. Thanks for listening. Hope it spurs some action.
Wood Drive Resident

Hey Doug, Who do we contact about getting ripped off at the toll bridge. My husband left at 7:00 this morning, and discovered the county had already closed the free bridge. He turned around and crossed the toll bridge for the low low price of one token. Upon returning home this evening he had to pay two tokens, because the attendant said he crossed free this morning. (This of course was not true). I think dear Mr. Smoke has his "sale" prices all wrong. It is no deal to pay for three crossings, yet only make two crossings. They are taking advantage of a bad situation with the county. It's bad enough to have to pay to cross, but he's collecting extra. This is a huge windfall for Mr. Smoke! How is this any different from gas gouging? And what recourse do we have??? Any suggestions would be helpful.
Grays Drive Resident

Supervisor Jones, I just wanted you to know, Monday morning I went over the "Free" bridge while it was still open. Monday evening I returned over the "Toll" bridge and was charged $3.00. They would not let me pass till I paid the $3.00 even though I only used the bridge once. Paying on the return trip is a great idea to relieve congestion, however it may have been better to start on Tues. I wonder how may others were overcharged yesterday.
Meridian Resident

Doug: Monday Oct 4. 7:30 am trying to leave the Island and only one booth lane open on the toll bridge. The other exit lane is blocked by orange cones. Also, one toll bridge worker sitting in the bridge office reading the paper. Common sense would tell you to open the other lane with a sign that says "exact change or tokens only." GI has to secure this bridge from Smoke. Would you please comment in your next update on the status of township plans to get the bridge. A couple of suggestions:

1. Could we put the issue to vote. Voting may not affect eminent domain, but it would show majority support to a judge.

2. Has anyone from the township discussed this with the Governor? Might she help?

Will you please publish this in your next update. You have done a great job in office and we thank you. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Heron Resident

Doug, Thinking is a little late but I have not read anywhere of a plan to utilize two strategic traffic lights that would certainly provide assistance during the "Toll Bridge Week" here on G.I. These two lights haven't done anything but blink for as long as I can remember but surely we can put them to good use now. In the coming week what would be the most likely cause of accidents? Trying to make left turns to get on Bridge Road from Meridian (departing) and from Jefferson (arriving) onto Bridge Road seems to me to be the most dangerous activity. We already have two traffic lights that need to be put into heavy duty now. The one at Meridian and Bridge Road could be programmed accordingly, giving those making a left turn onto Bridge Road a longer amount of time. When you consider how many people will be anxiously driving homeward at this intersection, how are you planning to regulate the traffic at this location? (Perhaps there is a plan already to have an officer on duty during the day, if so that might alleviate the problem). On a more drastic note, perhaps left turns should not be allowed during the week at Meridian and Bridge Road which would mean that those leaving the island would have to get on Bridge Road somewhere East of Meridian. That would mean you would have traffic leaving the island either from the North end of Meridian (turning right) or traffic coming straight down Bridge Road. Having no left turns would end up with most of the traffic on Bridge Road but might be safer and faster in the long run. For those entering Grosse Ile you could not allow a left at Meridian and Bridge, forcing those who need to access that section to find an alternate route. I realize this is somewhat awkward but perhaps safety is the main issue here.
The other light is the one at Jefferson and Bridge Road. Many people enter the toll bridge from Jefferson coming from the Wyandotte area and have to make a left turn there. Normally the traffic light at this intersection just blinks but perhaps it should be put into operation during this crucial week to prevent back-ups and stopping anxious drivers from making bad decisions when trying to turn left onto Bridge Road. The light, if used, should be longer for those turning left, especially when you consider how many large trucks are part of the problem.The tools for a safe and organized traffic flow are already there, (the lights) we just need to use them. Thanks for listening.
Island Resident

Doug, Great news on use of Riverview's site for hazardous waste, but why was it scheduled for the weekend the County bridge is closed? Any chance you can add a day when the bridge is open? I'll probably have quite a few car loads
to move.
Island Resident

Good morning, In all of the information that has been published and discussed about the bridge closure I have not heard talk about the management of Wayne County. Does any one in Gross Ile government have a work plan from the county? Does the county have all of the appropriate personnel; supplies and equipment in place? Has the county made plans for inclement weather? Is the county working a minimum 84 hour work week? Please advise. Appreciate the Feedback.
Stout Resident

This Week in Island History

Oct. 13, 1986 – The Wayne County Bridge was struck by lightening at 10:40 p.m. It blew out a transformer and cut off all power to the bridge, making it inoperable and closed to river traffic for two days.
Oct. 19, 1912 – The Livingstone Channel opened for navigation. Cost of project - $7,000,000.

Compiled by Clare Koester, GI Historical Society

Quote of the Week

And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.
Anais Nin
http://www.inspirationpeak.com/

Have a question or comment for the Supervisor?
Email: douglasj@grosseile.com
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