GROSSE ILE, Mich. – About 50 homeowners on Swan Island in Grosse Ile Township are navigating a new and frustrating reality after Wayne County slashed the weight limit on their only bridge.
Effective June 26, Wayne County reduced the weight restriction on the Swan Drive Bridge over Swan Creek from 33 tons to just 3 tons after a routine inspection. The change went into effect immediately and will remain until further notice.
To put that in perspective, 3 tons is roughly the weight of a full-size pickup truck or large SUV.
Most delivery trucks, garbage trucks and moving trucks weigh significantly more — meaning commercial vehicles are now prohibited from legally crossing the bridge.
Residents caught off guard
Greg and Laurie Smykowski, who have lived on Swan Island for about a year, were out of town when the notice was posted to their front door. Family and neighbors had to fill them in.
“We were a little concerned at first,” Laurie said. “We didn’t know it was in that bad shape because it doesn’t look bad.”
The couple said once the news sank in, the questions started stacking up.
“What about emergency vehicles? What if you are doing work on your house? Concrete work? Landscapers that comes across?” Greg said.
Township officials said trash pickup has been rerouted. Residents must now drop off garbage and yard waste at the township hall. Package and grocery deliveries also have to be redirected there.
Even contractors didn’t see it coming
Roberto Taschetti, a private contractor who said he has been working on the island for 50 years, assumed his Chevy Silverado 2500 would be fine.
He was wrong.
A Silverado 2500 weighs roughly 3.5 to 4.5 tons empty — well over the new 3-ton limit.
It’s a problem that underscores a broader issue: most people simply don’t know how much their vehicle weighs. Local 4 took its live truck to a nearby truck stop to find out. The verdict? 8,180 pounds — just over 4 tons.
County working on solutions
Wayne County says the bridge has been inspected on an annual basis.
In a statement, the Wayne County Department of Public Services said it is now exploring both short and long-term options.
“Our team is collaborating with internal and external subject matter experts to develop the best option possible for the residents of Swan Island,” the department said in a statement. “We look to have a proposed plan of action sometime next week.”
Leaders say the county weighmaster has been on-site checking vehicles, but enforcement largely relies on the honor system. Drivers caught violating the restriction could face a fine.
Grosse Ile Township has also launched a dedicated webpage where residents can find updates on the bridge situation here.