Ambassador Bridge wins stay of demo order from state supreme court

The Ambassador bridge company has won a stay of a judge's demolition order so the Michigan Supreme Court can hear their argument for an appeal. In February Judge Prentis Edwards ruled in favor of a Michigan DOT request for a demolition order to bring the bridge's Michigan approaches known as the Gateway Project into conformity with details the state says were agreed in a contract between the bridge company and the state.

The state says the bridge company has built toll booths and a duty-free store where ramps should be, and failed to build contracted connections to I-75.

The bridge company claims that plans were only indicative and not binding, and that the new layout is needed for a planned new parallel span. That span however has not received approvals from governments on either side of the border.

The bridge company has said in the past that complying with the Judge's order could cost over $100m in lost construction.

In a statement today the company said: "The Detroit International Bridge Company is pleased that the Michigan Supreme Court is taking the time to carefully review the application for leave to appeal that the bridge company filed with the court. The bridge company remains confident in the strength of its legal position.“

TOLLROADSnews 2010-05-05