Board creates bridge commission, approves H&H engineering contract for toll-bridge work

The Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees voted April 14 to publish a bridge commission ordinance and approved a separate contract with H&H Engineering for design, construction and compliance engineering for the township-owned toll bridge.

The ordinance as published establishes the bridge commission with voting membership consisting of the township supervisor, a township board member at large and three township residents; the ordinance also contemplates nonvoting participation by township staff (finance director and civil engineer). The board voted to publish the ordinance after a lengthy discussion and debate about whether the commission should be larger; the final passage on the original ordinance language carried on a 5-2 roll-call vote.

Why it matters: The commission will advise on planning and oversight for repairs and operations of a township-owned toll bridge and will be a standing forum for resident input as the township moves into design and construction phases.

Board debate and amendment attempt Trustees spent more than an hour debating the commission’s size and composition. Some trustees, including Kevin, Mark and others, argued for a larger commission of seven voting residents to spread heavy workloads and add technical expertise. Others, including Bill and Jamieson, said a smaller, nimbler body would be easier to staff and reach consensus. Trustees also discussed whether the township finance director and civil engineer should be formal, nonvoting members of the commission or instead be asked to attend meetings as needed. The board rejected a proposed amendment that would have increased the number of resident voting members and changed how staff participation was defined; that amendment failed in a roll-call vote. After that failed amendment, the board voted to publish the ordinance in the News Herald as presented.

H&H engineering contract Separately, the board approved a proposal from H&H Engineering not to exceed $3,427,000 for design, construction and compliance engineering services for the Grosse Ile toll bridge. Township staff told trustees the township solicited proposals and received one qualified bid; H&H had prior familiarity with the bridge from earlier review work and was a recommended firm for swing-bridge mechanical work. Staff and trustees said the number of firms licensed and experienced in mechanical (swing) bridge work in Michigan is limited, so the board accepted H&H rather than rebid. The contract award passed on a voice vote.

Public questions about timing and revenue During public comment, resident Doug Scott of Marquette Drive asked detailed questions about bridge closure timelines, the potential toll revenue windfall from detours during a free-bridge closure and whether the township could pursue outside funding or charge rent to county users. Scott asked why the township’s published draft timeline (18 months) appeared much shorter than the H&H proposal’s schedule (which staff said could range 47–55 months depending on procurement and construction sequencing). Township staff said they would follow up and coordinate timing with Wayne County so one bridge is operable at a time and to reduce disruption.

Next steps Township staff said they will immediately engage H&H to begin the engineering tasks and continue coordination with Wayne County. The board directed staff to post updates, including scheduling information, on the township website as plans firm up.