Galveston County Commissioner Patrick Doyle reports that the Bolivar Peninsula look and leave program is working well. Listen: RealPlayer  MP3

"We've had a steady flow of traffic every day," Doyle said.  "I think the first day was probably the largest. I want to say they estimated 5,000 came through the very first day."

Doyle said many of the residents and property owners have begun making repairs to their property and trying to return to some degree of normalcy.

Doyle said that there have been rumors that the program will end after this Sunday.

"That is not correct," he stressed.  "I want to make that very clear, we are not closing the peninsula."

Doyle said the program is being reevaluated, but that there is no intention to deny entry to residents and property owners.  It may even be possible to make the peninsula more accessible.

"The bridge (at Rollover Pass) is the critical part to this whole deal," he said, noting that it is a one lane operation at this time because of damage to the bridge.  "If the bridge will ultimately be fixed and both lanes are open...then we probably will look at opening the peninsula up."

At that point, Doyle said the checkpoint will be removed, although the police presence will continue to protect the property.

"There will be no closure of the peninsula," He stressed. "We want the folks to get back to their residences and do what they can to salvage what they have."