Michigan lawsuit: Ambassador Bridge owners jeopardize project
BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU
The escalating feud between the Michigan Department of Transportation and the owners of the Ambassador Bridge moved to the courtroom again today as the state sued to remedy what it said are violations of construction agreements in the development of a truck plaza on the Detroit side of the bridge.
According to the lawsuit, filed in Wayne County Circuit Court, the Detroit International Bridge Company violated agreements with the state and the City of Detroit by closing streets in the vicinity of the plaza and failing to provide access to adjacent private property. The bridge company’s actions jeopardize plans for completion of the project and federal funding to pay for it, according to the suit.
“We’re really looking to protect the people’s interest, the neighborhood [[at the base of the bridge), the signed contract and to protect the federal road money and the jobs that are at risk,” said MDOT spokesman Bill Shreck.
The lawsuit comes only a day after bridge officials accused MDOT of acting illegally and vindictively by dumping loads of dirt on portions of a recently constructed ramp serving the bridge. The controversial bridge project has been the subject of several earlier lawsuits, at least two of which are pending.
No one from the bridge company was immediately available for comment today.
Contact DAWSON BELL: 517-372-8661 or dbell@freepress.com.