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Wayne County plans traffic measures and up to eight‑week bridge closure; township and county coordinate timing ahead of bridge purchase
Summary
Wayne County will lower approach speeds and install approach cushions ahead of spring structural repairs to the Grosse Ile Parkway bridge, and the county expects an approximately eight‑week closure when the work begins, township officials said Jan. 13.
Wayne County notified Grosse Ile Township officials that it will lower the approach speed limit to 25 mph and install “cushion” speed controls on the roads leading to the Grosse Ile Parkway bridge ahead of planned structural repairs, county representatives told township leaders in meetings summarized at the Jan. 13 board session.
County staff said those temporary traffic measures are intended to limit future damage and will remain in place until the repairs are completed. The county advised the township the bridge repair work is expected in the spring of 2025 and that the construction window will be approximately eight weeks once work starts. The county will close the bridge during repairs.
Supervisor Joe Porcirilli and Township Manager Derek told the board county officials indicated they would coordinate the work schedule with the township, acknowledging the bridge acts as a detour route and that timing should consider the township’s plan to complete its purchase of the bridge later this winter or spring. Township staff said the county currently does not have a contract in place for the repair work; the county will announce final timing once a contractor is selected.
Township officials said county staff also told them the temporary speed‑limit reductions and cushions are not permanent and should be removed after the structural repairs are finished. Wayne County will post a public notice and the township will publish county guidance, Supervisor Porcirilli said.
Board members asked about construction noise and local traffic impacts. Township staff said they are in discussions with county engineers about short‑term mitigations and noted county and township planners have agreed to meet with downtown business owners to discuss access and signage during any closure.
Separately, township staff reported a localized roadway surface irregularity at the Meridian–Ferry intersection created during county work; township engineers have raised the issue with county contractors and the county has agreed to investigate and remediate the defect.
The board’s summary stressed that the county will provide formal public notifications and that the township will continue to press for coordination of the closure window to limit disruption while the township finalizes financing and related logistics for the planned bridge acquisition.
