The Harsens Island mainland ferry dock collapsed into the river last week causing chaos for some local residents and leaving many vehicles stranded on the downriver island. The good news, although longer than originally expected, is that the ferry is back to a normal operating schedule as of 6 p.m. Monday evening. While heavy trucks are still on hold, cars and light trucks can now cross with garbage pickup also resuming on the island this coming Friday. The dock collapse came about a month after the ferry owners submitted a repair plan to the Michigan State Police citing the summer’s high water levels as the reason for the need to limit the types and weights of vehicles. The downstream, mainland dock had already been temporarily taken out of service to begin repairs that included new pipes for stabilization and a hinge foundation. The project was supposed to be completed in late spring, but the recent collapse will likely change that timeline. A passenger boat has been operating through Clay Township for individual passengers in the time since the incident. Champion’s Auto Ferry, a privately owned business, owns and operates the sole ferry service to and from Harsens Island.
