Michigan's highest court has refused to hear a challenge made by the company against the Gordie Howe International Bridge (GHIB) project.
The Detroit News reported Sunday that the Michigan Supreme Court rejected a challenge made by the Moroun family to a previous appellate court ruling that favoured the state's legislature.
The Moroun family, which owns the Ambassador Bridge and a variety of other entities, had sued over the gathering of land for the Gordie Howe bridge, claiming that Lansing had barred the Michigan Department of Transportation (M-DOT) from using state funds to buy land for the new bridge.
The appeals court had ruled that the challenge had no merit since Canada is paying for the construction of the new bridge, and the state of Michigan will reimburse Canada through toll revenue once the bridge is complete.
Supreme Court Justice David Viviano said there was an issue, however, on whether or not Michigan can spend the money regardless of whether the legislature allows it or not.
"This is yet another missed opportunity to address a contention that executive agencies and officials have acted outside the bounds of their prescribed authority. This is no small matter," said Viviano, according to the News.
The court's refusal to hear the challenge is the latest in a years-long series of battles by the Moroun family against the GHIB. The family had previously bought a group of homes on the Windsor side of the Ambassador Bridge, then tore them down to make way for a proposed twin span. The granting of a construction permit had caused concern in that west Windsor neighbourhood.
The family had also sued several times to stop construction of the GHIB and had even spearheaded an unsuccessful 2012 ballot measure in Michigan, requiring a statewide vote before any international crossing could be built.
The GHIB is on track to be completed in 2024.
