Toll Bridge Facts.com

GIBC’s Plan for the Reopening of the Wayne County Bridge

Updated as of December 20

*  After the county bridge reopens, the GIBC’s Bridge Pass service will continue to provide the fastest and lowest cost way to travel across the Toll Bridge.  We encourage customers to keep the Bridge Pass in order to continue to save time and money when crossing the Toll Bridge.

*  One-way toll fares for vehicles traveling to the Island from Riverview (i.e., east bound) will start when the county bridge reopens (confirmed for December 21 at noon).

*  Vehicles leaving the Island to travel to Riverview (i.e., west bound) will be given free passage (i.e., no toll collected) during the first full day after the county bridge reopens (toll fares will still be collected for east bound vehicles).  After a full day, the GIBC will start collecting one-way toll fares for vehicles traveling west bound.

For example, when the county bridge reopens on December 21 (at any time), the GIBC will give everyone free passage traveling west bound over the Toll Bridge on December 22.  In this scenario, the GIBC would start collecting west bound toll fares at 12 a.m. on December 23.

*  A customer who wishes to receive a refund of his or her unused Bridge Pass account balance for pre-paid tolls and the Bridge Pass Tag (i.e., transponder) deposit may obtain a “Bridge Pass Refund Form” from the GIBC’s office at 8734 Macomb Street, the toll booth in the toll plaza or the trailer in the toll plaza.  Bridge Pass Refund Forms can also be downloaded by CLICKING HERE.

Completed forms, along with the Bridge Pass Tag, may be dropped off at the GIBC’s office at 8734 Macomb Street, the toll booth in the toll plaza or the trailer in the toll plaza.  Customers may also mail the completed form with the Bridge Pass Tag to:

Grosse Ile Bridge Company
P.O. Box 24
Grosse Ile, MI 48138 

A refund check will be mailed to the account holder's address within 15 business days depending on customer demand.

*  No refunds or exchanges will be provided for unused tokens (this policy is stated on all receipts for the purchase of tokens).  The GIBC will, however, continue to accept and sell tokens.

*  Updated information will be provided to the public through the GIBC’s “The Connection” e-newsletter and posted on the GIBC’s web site at www.TollBridgeFacts.com.

Questions and Answers about the Plan's Impact on the Bridge Pass Service

Q:  Do I have to turn in my Bridge Pass when the county bridge reopens?

A:  No.  The GIBC will continue to provide the Bridge Pass service and this will remain the fastest and lowest cost way to travel across the Toll Bridge.

Q:  If I don’t turn in my Bridge Pass, will my unused account balance remain available indefinitely?

A:  Yes.  Your unused account balance will remain in your account until you use it by crossing the Toll Bridge or request a refund at a future time.

Q:  Can I request a refund for my Bridge Pass account be paid in cash or tokens?

A:  No.  All refunds must be paid by check and mailed to the account holder’s address.

Q:  If I close my Bridge Pass account, can I open a new one in the future?

A:  Yes, but you would have to fill out a new application and make a new payment for the pre-paid tolls as well as the deposit for the Bridge Pass Tag.  This process usually takes up to 15 business days, but it can take longer depending on demand.

*** In order to download a PDF version of the GIBC's plan and the questions/answers about the Bridge Pass service, please CLICK HERE.

Wayne County Establishes a Web Site for the County Bridge Renovation Project:  www.waynecounty.com/dps/grosse-ile-bridge-intro.html

The following text is the introduction to the county's web site:

"Welcome to the Department of Public Services' first "project specific" information site.

"This site was constructed to address the overwhelming inquiries the Department of Public Services has received concerning the Grosse Ile Parkway's Bridge Rehabilitation Project.

"Before you dig deep to find out more about our construction project, and your 'new' bridge, let us share the following:

"Wayne County is very concerned about the additional inconvenience to Grosse Ile residents, commuters and businesses.Wayne County's commitment to interested parties is evidenced in re-directing limited funds (federal and county) to supplement the grant dollars received from the Local Bridge Program. Wayne County had to find close to $3 million extra dollars to do this project and this was tough given the fiscal times our area has experienced.  Finally, the contract does contain a penalty clause of several thousand dollars a day if the contractor exceeds the December 15, 2007 deadline."

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For information from the GIBC that may discuss developments with the county's project, sign up for our "The Connection" e-newsletter by CLICKING HERE.

Traffic Report for Monday, 21 to Friday, May 25

Traffic Flowed Smoothly During Weekday Rush Hours, Longest Delays Still Caused by Opening the Toll Bridge for Marine Vessels

It's been just over three weeks since the Wayne County Bridge closed and there have not been serious delays for vehicles caused by traffic flow since the first day (May 2).  On the other hand, marine vessels continue to delay traffic by forcing the GIBC to open the Toll Bridge during periods of heavy vehicle flow.  The longest delays caused by marine vessels have been about 15 minutes for east bound vehicles; however, west bound vehicles may have been delayed by up to 25 minutes or more.

On Wednesday, May 23 at approximately 2:30 p.m., a Canadian Coast Guard ship traveled through the Toll Bridge causing a 15 minute delay for east bound vehicles coming on to the Island from Riverview.  West bound vehicles leaving the Island for Riverview were backed-up for a longer period of time despite the fact that the Toll Bridge does not collect toll fares from vehicles leaving the Island.

GIBC Director of Community and Government Relations Greg Karmazin said, "It appears that the traffic light at Jefferson Avenue is delaying vehicle traffic during surges resulting from the opening of the bridge for marine vessels.  During the opening for the Canadian Coast Guard ship at 2:30 p.m. on May 23, the GIBC processed all the east bound traffic that was waiting by about 2:45 p.m. 

"Although west bound traffic was freely flowing through the toll plaza, it was backed up on to the bridge until almost 3 p.m.  This is a perfect example of the significant role that traffic lights play in causing vehicle delays.  The GIBC isn't collecting tolls for west bound vehicles, yet they are still being delayed by the traffic lights.  It appears that the GIBC processes east bound vehicles faster in the toll plaza than the traffic light at Jefferson can direct west bound vehicles from Bridge Rd. on to Jefferson. 

"It seems that vehicles turning left at Jefferson are delaying vehicles that want to turn right because there is only one full west bound lane on Bridge Rd.  We thought this would happen, and that is why the GIBC raised the importance of widening bridge road with Wayne County and Grosse Ile Township officials during a meeting held in October of 2006," said Karmazin.

The GIBC has a plan that has been pending with Wayne County since early April of 2007 to widen Bridge Rd. to create a second west bound lane.  The GIBC has pledged to pay 100% of this proposed project to widen the Wayne County-owned section of Bridge Rd.  This second lane would allow the GIBC to open the outside lane of the toll booth (currently closed) which would primarily be used by drivers who want to turn right at Jefferson. 

Karmazin said, "This second lane would prevent delays and resolve the problem of impatient drivers using the gravel shoulder on Bridge Rd. and cutting through the entrance of the Riverview boat ramp which has potential to cause accidents.  The GIBC also believes that the second lane would reduce the vehicle backups that occasionally block the entrance of the Riverview boat ramp. 

"In addition, the second lane would provide drivers with more room to pull over to the right to get out of the way of ambulances traveling from Grosse Ile to mainland hospitals during periods of heavy traffic flow," said Karmazin.

Traffic Report for Week of Monday, May 14 through Friday, May 18

Still No Major Traffic Delays After May 2, Bridge Pass Use Now at 5,900 Vehicles

There were no major delays experienced during the work week -- even during afternoon rush hours.  Weekday traffic counts for east bound (Riverview to Grosse Ile) traffic are regularly exceeding the number recorded on Wednesday, May 2 without any major delays occurring.

A short traffic delay occurred on Monday, May 14 at 5 p.m. after a long, slow train backed up traffic on Pennsylvania and Sibley roads.   When the train passed, the backed-up traffic traveled to the Toll Bridge from two directions resulting in a maximum 15 minute delay for some vehicles.  The Toll Bridge attendants directed traffic at the toll plaza and the backup dissipated quickly.

There is a total of 5,900 Bridge Passes now in use -- a critical mass of users has now been achieved.  Approximately 40% of all drivers crossing the Toll Bridge now use a Bridge Pass.  About 50% of all drivers crossing the Toll Bridge during afternoon rush hour use a Bridge Pass.

A Model A from the Friday, May 18 classic car show held on Grosse Ile leaves the toll plaza headed home after an enjoyable -- traffic delay free -- day on the Island.  The old cars had no problem getting on and off the Island over the historic Grosse Ile Toll Bridge.

This is a picture of car (possibly a Model T) crossing the Toll Bridge in 1925.  Note that the bridge deck (driving surface) was made of thick wood timbers at that time.  This picture provides a small view of just how much the GIBC has spent to upgrade the Toll Bridge over the years.  The Toll Bridge today is vastly improved from the span opened in 1913.  The job of upgrading and maintaining the bridge in excellent condition never ends -- the user fee toll fare makes this possible. 
 

U.S. Coast Guard Regulations Force GIBC to Open Toll Bridge During Rush Hour and Other Periods of Heavy Vehicle Traffic Flow

Coast Guard's Regulations for the Operation of the Toll Bridge During the County Bridge Closure Period Took Effect on April 18

On April 18, 2007, the U.S. Coast Guard implemented federal regulations that force the Grosse Ile Bridge Company (GIBC) to open the Toll Bridge during the county bridge closure period as follows:

Weekdays:

*  The bridge will not be required to open during ``rush hours'' defined as between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

*  At all other times, the bridge is required to make one opening per hour for recreational vessels (if necessary) from three minutes before until three minutes after the hour.

*  Except during defined "rush hours'', the bridge must open for commercial vessels upon signal.
   
Weekends:

*  The bridge shall open once per hour for recreational vessels (if necessary) from three minutes before until three minutes after the hour.

*  At all times during weekends and holidays, the bridge must open for commercial vessels upon signal.

The GIBC's Opinion of the Coast Guard's Regulations

The GIBC was disappointed that the Coast Guard did not grant us the authority to not open the Toll Bridge to marine vessels at any time during the entire county bridge closure period.  The GIBC believes that opening the Toll Bridge -- especially during rush hour periods -- for marine vessels will cause traffic delays that could pose a threat to public health and safety in certain scenarios.

In fact, two of the longest traffic delays since May 3 have been caused by the GIBC being forced to open the Toll Bridge for marine vessels during rush hour.

Results of the GIBC's Online Poll During April about the Coast Guard's Regulations

73% of Islanders Want Toll Bridge to be Closed to Marine Vessels

Islanders voted in Toll Bridge Fact.com's poll in records numbers -- 645 votes cast -- to express their opinions about the Coast Guard regulations that only authorize the GIBC to keep the Toll Bridge closed for only 6 of the 7 1/2 hour daily rush hour periods.  The poll was conducted by Vizu which is an independent, online polling firm.  Vizu online polls are considered to be representative of public opinion although they are not conducted in scientific manner.

Approximately 73% of Islanders favor the Coast Guard authorizing the GIBC to keep the Toll Bridge closed to marine vessels at all times during the Wayne County Bridge closure period.  Only 27% of Islanders believe the Toll Bridge should be opened for marine vessels during non-rush hour time periods.

GIBC Director of Community and Government Relations Greg Karmazin said, "The GIBC's poll results show that the Coast Guard is out of touch with the difficulties that Island residents, businesses and visitors are facing.  Moreover, traffic delays caused by opening the Toll Bridge for marine vessels also negatively affect Riverview, Trenton and Wyandotte. 

"It is my hope that the results of this poll will encourage public and elected officials representing eastern Downriver communities to consider the serious traffic flow problems that the Coast Guard's regulations are causing.  Traffic delays caused by opening the Toll Bridge for marine vessels could be significantly reduced if the Coast Guard would simply expand the hours during which the GIBC is authorized not to open the Toll Bridge."

Traffic Flowed Well During the Weekdays of Monday, May 7 Through Friday, May 11

Delays Caused on May 8 by a Bridge Swing and on May 10 by Minor Traffic Accident

On Tuesday, May 8, a cabin cruiser pleasure craft forced the Toll Bridge to open at 7 p.m.  Coast Guard regulations require the Toll Bridge to open at 7 p.m. if a large pleasure craft makes a request to go through the span.  This swing of the Toll Bridge caused approximately a maximum traffic delay of 15 minutes.

On Thursday, May 10, at about 4:45 p.m., a minor traffic accident near the "pony truss" section of the causeway between the bridge spans and the Grosse Ile mainland resulted in traffic being stopped from traveling over the Toll Bridge.  The Riverview and Grosse Ile police departments quickly responded to the situation and traffic flow was resumed after about 15 minutes of delays. 

After Wedneday, May 2 during the period of Thursday, May 3 to Sunday, May 6, the longest traffic delay experienced was during afternoon rush hour on Thursday, May 3 when a tugboat forced the Toll Bridge to open at 6:30 p.m. -- right at the height of the afternoon rush hour -- and caused a maximum traffic delay of about 15 minutes.  Coast Guard regulations require the Toll Bridge to open from commercial ships (tugboats are considered commercial ships) upon signal from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Despite Rain During Wednesday, May 9 Afternoon Rush Hour, No Major Delays

Traffic always flows more slowly on all roads during rain, so the GIBC was somewhat pleasantly surprised that the steady rain during the afternoon rush hour did not cause major delays on Wednesday.  During afternoon rush hours on Monday and Tuesday of this week, the longest delay experienced was 15 minutes on Tuesday at 7 p.m. when the Toll Bridge had to open for a cabin cruiser pleasure boat.

As the GIBC has repeatedly warned the U.S. Coast Guard since January of this year, their regulations forcing the Toll Bridge to open for pleasure boats right at the end of the afternoon rush hour will cause major delays (the afternoon rush hour runs from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.).  During Wayne County's planning meeting yesterday, local municipalities, the county and the GIBC agreed that we will jointly ask the Coast Guard to not force the GIBC to open the Toll Bridge during periods of heavy vehicle traffic.

Afternoon Rush Hour Traffic Reports from the GIBC

Monday, May 7 Test Successful, Customers Provide Positive Feedback

On Monday, May 7, the GIBC tested the concept of providing rush hour traffic reports every 15 minutes between 3:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.  We received a considerable amount of positive feedback from individuals and commercial customers.  Some people, however, did question the value of reports about traffic conditions that can change significantly after a person might leave their place of work to come home.

As we said during the test, there is no guarantee that traffic conditions will remain the same, but the concept is to at least give people an idea about how things are going.  The consensus appeared to be that a web cam would be more useful than text descriptions of the number of cars waiting at the toll plaza.  A web cam would allow customers to see for themselves what the conditions are with traffic flow.

The GIBC is in the planning stage of this idea, but we hope to have this capability in place soon.

Toll Bridge Traffic Flowing Smoothly After Rough First Day:  GIBC's Preparedness Plan is Working

GIBC Asks Islanders for Their Continued Cooperation, Patience and Help

Sunday, May 6, 2007   

By Greg Karmazin, Grosse Ile Bridge Company Director of Community and Government Relations

The GIBC was extremely disappointed about the long delays experienced by Islanders and all customers of the Toll Bridge on Wednesday, May 2 which was the first day of the Wayne County Bridge closure period.  We especially regret the inconveniences suffered by drivers crossing the Toll Bridge in the afternoon rush hour and early evening.   The GIBC agrees that those lengthy delays were unacceptable.

Bridge Pass Safely Speeds Traffic Flow Across the Toll Bridge

Video from Friday, May 4 Evening Rush Hour Shows Bridge Pass is 3 Times as Fast as Attended Lane

If you don't understand how the Bridge Pass speeds traffic flow, please watch this twenty-second video of vehicles traveling through the toll plaza at approximately 6 p.m. on Friday, May 4 -- the height of rush hour -- by clicking here.

As you will see in this video clip, approximately seven vehicles passed through the toll plaza using the Bridge Pass in the same time period that it took for two vehicles to pay tolls in the attended lane (the Bridge Pass also works in the attended lane, but in this video, the vehicles were using tokens or cash to pay the toll).

The below still photo was taken on Friday, May 4 at 5:56 p.m. -- about the same time the video was made.  As you can see, during the height of rush hour on Friday, there was only a wait of a few minutes to go through the attended lane and vehicles flowed freely though the Bridge Pass lane.