Water taxi wanted for hire to combat bridge mess

At 'It's On The River' Restaurant in Port Byron, Illinois, they're shuttling some employees who live in Iowa by boat to cut their commute now that half of the I-80 bridge is shut down.

''We'll get em in the boat and run them over, it's about a five minute trip, it doesn't take alot of time or gas to do and it gets them here on time'', said owner Cindy Delashmutt.

Now she and Happy Joes owner Rich Henning of LeClaire are trying to expand the concept, looking for a water shuttle and captain to taxi employees and customers and anyone else during the unexpected detour due to the bridge.

''I've spoken with the city of Leclaire and Port Byron and they seem accomodating that we could use the city docks since it is a temporary solution. People could park their cars on one side and take a taxi or shuttle to get to the other side'', Delashmutt said.

Using the river, instead of the road would save time, trouble, and gas, but is it an idea whose time has come?

''I think it is the obvious solution'', Delashmutt said. ''Either that, or a zip line across the Mississippi, which would be kind of fun''.