Galveston County officials met this morning to discuss the logistics to allow residents and property owners to return to the Bolivar Peninsula, to check their property and leave. 

Commissioner Pat Doyle said that the plans now will allow residents and property owners to drive their own vehicles across the bridge at Rollover Pass.  Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

"We are calling it the new Bolivar Peninsula re-entry plan," Doyle said. "With the assistance of TxDOT, and of course all of the good staff here at the County, the Judge (Jim Yarbrough) and I discussed this morning a new plan that will provide a complete re-entry program."

Doyle explained that the bridge at Rollover Pass, which was badly damaged, will be stabilized to allow private vehicles to cross.  Previously the plan was to use buses to transport people from the bridge to their subdivisions.  Now residents and property owners can drive their own vehicles, and pull trailers, if they have them, to check on their property.  Insurance adjusters may accompany the residents and property owners.

It is a look and leave plan.  When the program begins, residents and property owners will be permitted to drive across the bridge between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day; and will be asked to leave at 4 p.m.  Law enforcement will be present to maintain order and to assure that all persons leave after 4 p.m.

PODs (Points of Distribution) with ice, water, portable toilets will be set up at Crenshaw School and the Faggard Center, as well as at High Island.  People are urged to have tetanus inoculations before returning to the Peninsula, but the Galveston County Health Department will be giving shots at the POD at the High Island School.

Registration forms to facilitate re-entry will be posted on GuidryNews.com prior to the beginning of the program.