The Michigan Department of Transportation has made a bit of headway in its ongoing legal wrangling with the Detroit International Bridge Company, owner of the Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
MDOT announced Wednesday that the Federal Highway Administration has given it the go-ahead to build an elevated ramp that will allow trucks coming into Detroit from Canada to bypass neighborhood streets to reach freeways at the bridge's base. The ramp had been delayed because of DIBC's failure to convey land needed to build it to the state; the land transfer occurred in December.
MDOT says it now will award an expedited contract to build the ramp, with work expected to start in February and slated for completion by the Memorial Day weekend.
Litigation concerning other portions of the unfinished Gateway project continues, MDOT said.
"I want to thank the Federal Highway Administration’s Michigan Division for the flexibility to allow MDOT to move forward while we continue to work through the courts to ensure the bridge company meets all of the terms it agreed to in the contract," said State Transportation Director Kirk T. Steudle. "We look forward to the bridge company completing its part of the Gateway project as promised to improve the flow of passenger vehicle and commercial traffic at the border and improve the quality of life for the residents of southwest Detroit."
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