Story originally printed in the La Crosse Tribune or online at www.lacrossetribune.com

Published - Friday, July 18, 2008

Lawsuit continues against new Minn. freeway bridge

ST. PAUL (AP) — The new Interstate 35W bridge will probably be finished before a lawsuit over the bidding process behind it goes on trial in December.

Two construction executives are suing the Department of Transportation because they allege it ignored its own rules in giving the job to Flatiron Constructors of Colorado.

Flatiron submitted the highest bid and tied for the longest timetable, but it's now on pace to finish the bridge three months early.

Plaintiffs attorney Dean Thomson filed addition information in the case Thursday.

He said if he wins and the court declares the bidding process illegal, the state could pay up to $50 million less than the bridge's current $234 million price tag.

A judge denied an earlier request to halt construction while the lawsuit was pending.

MnDOT spokeswoman Lucy Kender said the agency doesn't discuss pending litigation.

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