http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007705040381

May 4, 2007

Grosse Ile gridlock gone, at least for now, on toll bridge

Iveory Perkins and Joe Menard / The Detroit News

GROSSE ILE -- The bird gave way to the dove on the toll bridge to Grosse Ile on Thursday, a day after gridlock caused backups of more than an hour as islanders returned home on the only open crossing.

After waits of 45 minutes during the morning rush, traffic moved without delay. During the evening rush hour, the wait was only minutes, with no more than 10 cars merging onto the bridge at any given time. It flowed so smoothly officials never had to implement an emergency plan hatched that day to open the bridge for 15-minute increments for one-way traffic.

The scene was in contrast to Wednesday, when the closure of a free, Wayne County-owned bridge caused three-mile backups, waits of two hours, crashes, an assault, obscene gestures and at least one arrest.

"I'm shocked they got it together so quick," said William Higgins, 30, of Grosse Ile. "It took me 90 minutes to get home Wednesday. It's absolutely faster, and I am impressed."

Riverview Fire Chief Timothy Bosman said he was surprised at how easily traffic flowed. .

"It's weird, really weird," he said. "We were expecting another day just like we had (Wednesday)."

Greg Karmazin, a spokesman for the toll bridge, said a similar number of motorists crossed the bridge Thursday as did Wednesday. He attributed the shortened commute times to more motorists using the toll-card pass system that bypasses toll operators.

"Over 500 applications for the bridge pass came in (Wednesday). They're just streaming in," he said. "The bridge pass is making a huge difference."

A $5.7 million renovation project on the free bridge is expected to keep it closed through December, and some officials fear the improvements could be short-lived. Some 75 percent of the 22,000 cars getting onto and off the island used the county bridge.

Grosse Ile Township Supervisor Kurt M. Kobiljak worried motorists are simply avoiding the island or adjusting schedules. He said the "real test" will come Monday.

"We want to see how it works and how the bridge company facilitates this," said Kobiljak, who called a special meeting of the township board for Monday. "I am not confident, and I believe we'll have to come back to find a long-term solution."

Karmazin said the company invested $750,000 in plaza improvements and the bridge pass system.

On Thursday, public officials met for three hours to monitor traffic and devise the one-way traffic plan. They will reconvene Tuesday.

The jams have rekindled years of bad blood between Grosse Ile and Riverview, and the bridge company, which is expected to make a few million dollars in tolls during the closure. The bridge charges $1 per trip with a pass and $1.50 with cash.

"The bridge makes a lot of money," said Riverview Mayor Tim Durand. Owner Paul Smoke "is entitled to that, but he should assist in our overtime."

Security costs aren't known, but Wednesday, about 26 officers from four communities patrolled into the night.