The Michigan Department of Transportation ran into a powerful obstacle when acquiring land for a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor, Canada, but a county judge sided with the state.
"Wayne County Circuit Court Chief Judge Robert Colombo Jr. advanced the effort to build the Gordie Howe International Bridge this past week when he dismissed attempts by the Moroun family's Detroit International Bridge Company to block seizure of Moroun-owned land in Detroit's Delray district," reports John Gallagher. The Moroun family owns the Ambassador Bridge, and they've tried several methods to block the planned international crossing that would compete with the Ambassador bridge.
"The Michigan Department of Transportation has been acquiring more than 600 parcels of property in the Delray district to assemble land needed for the Gordie Howe bridge project," according to Gallagher.
By "acquiring," Gallagher means seizing by power of eminent domain. The Moroun family's effort to block the use of eminent domain questions the legality of whether the state can use eminent domain to benefit the Canadian entity building the bridge—i.e., the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority. The use of eminent domain has already created controversies among more communitarian interests in the neighborhood of Delray.
FULL STORY: Judge tosses latest Moroun attempts to block Gordie Howe bridge
One Bridge on the Way, Another Still Possible on U.S.-Canada Border
With a request for qualifications for a new bridge, connecting Detroit with Windsor, Canada, and a proposal for another bridge on the table, it'a bridge building time on the U.S.-Canadian border.
Construction Details, Costs Emerge for Gordie Howe International Bridge
A plan to build the nation's longest cable-stayed bridge has been busy clearing benchmarks this summer.
An Appeal to Patriotism in the Hopes of Blocking a Canadian Bridge to Detroit
Border controversies now have a northern front, too.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service