MichiganRadio

Ambassador Bridge Company Sues MDOT WARREN, MI (Michigan Radio) - The company that owns the Ambassador Bridge is suing the Michigan Department of Transportation to open freeway ramps at the US-Canada border.

The freeway ramps are part of the $230 million Gateway construction project. That project is a joint effort between MDOT and the Detroit International Bridge Company to connect the bridge with surrounding highways.

But the Bridge Company says the project includes adding another span to the bridge--something the Canadian government opposes.

Bridge Company President Dan Stamper alleges that MDOT is now working with Canada to build the second bridge downriver, and is blocking the ramps as part of that effort. "We've all invested into the Gateway Project, including the second span," Stamper said. "And MDOT moved a mile west, got married again to Canada and wants to build a competing bridge."

MDOT says the ramps are blocked because the Bridge Company violated the Gateway Project's original plans, and illegally seized property in doing so.
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