Coast Guard Halts Work on New Detroit Bridge

The U.S. Coast Guard ordered a halt to work on a new Ambassador Bridge linking Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, and on construction of new bridge ramps June 15, claiming the bridge’s owner violated contracts and regulations and lacks title to needed property.

It’s the latest twist in a long-running battle over ownership and management of one of the busiest truck-crossing points on the U.S-Canadian border.

The Coast Guard said several issues involving the Michigan Department of Transportation and City of Detroit must be resolved before it will allow work to continue on a new span next to the existing bridge and the bridge ramps.

MDOT claims the new bridge is not being built according to contractual agreements. The city claims the project violates its property rights to Riverside Park.

The owner, Detroit International Bridge Co., “has yet to provide the Coast Guard with convincing evidence” that it has the necessary property rights, the USCG said.

The company defended its efforts in local reports, calling the Coast Guard action unwarranted and saying it wants construction to continue.

DIBC is owned by Manuel J. “Matty” Maroun, a transportation and real estate magnate with several distribution, logistics and trucking operations, including LTL carrier Central Transport International. He has owned the bridge, opened in 1929, since 1979.

Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com.