© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Judge strips power from Ambassador Bridge owners in construction dispute

A judge has stripped the company that owns the Ambassador Bridge of control over a key construction project, and transferred total control to the project’s joint partner, the Michigan Department of Transportation.

Judge Prentis Edwards had found Detroit International Bridge Company (DIBC) officials in contempt of court for delaying the Gateway Project.

That construction project to better connect the Ambassador Bridge and surrounding highways has been held up for years by legal wrangling.

Edwards’ had briefly jailed bridge owner Matty Moroun and DIBC President Dan Stamper for contempt.

But his latest decision to hand total control over to M-DOT seems to have taken both sides by surprise.

Godfrey Dillard, a lawyer for the DIBC, says it’s too soon to say how they’ll deal with this latest twist—and the judge’s order that the Bridge Company pay $16 million in construction costs upfront.

“Well, we’ll have to look at it,” Dillard said. “Needless to say, we’re not happy.”

M-DOT engineer Tony Kratofil says this wasn’t exactly what the state was looking for. even with total control over the project, they still need substantial cooperation from the Bridge Company to move forward.

“We’re still going to have to coordinate with them, because they have to operate the bridge plaza and the border crossing,” Kratofil said. “So we’re going to need their full cooperation throughout the process.”

Edwards set another hearing for March 22.

 

Sarah Cwiek joined Michigan Public in October 2009. As our Detroit reporter, she is helping us expand our coverage of the economy, politics, and culture in and around the city of Detroit.
Related Content