People can access the island of Grosse Ile by either taking the toll bridge or the Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge, which is free. The toll bridge was financed, designed and constructed from 1912-13 by the Grosse Ile Bridge Company, according to the company’s website. Motorists passing over the bridge must pay a fee [or] apply for a bridge pass.

The advantage of buying the toll bridge is that the township would have control of one span accessing the island community if the Grosse Ile Parkway Bridge, the other bridge, were closed at some point, [Township Supervisor James Budny] said.

The parkway bridge was closed for more than a year between 2020 and 2021 because of emergency repairs to several areas including underwater piers.

Another benefit of taking over the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge is that it could generate some money for the township, Budny said. He said it would remain a toll bridge. He intends for the bridge to pay for itself and not to place a tax on residents to run it.

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