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The development company that owns High Street has officially served notice to the City of Edmonton, Graham Construction and its subcontractors. The bridge fiasco will end up in court.

Construction on the 102 Avenue bridge over Groat Road was delayed a year when three 40-tonne steel girders bent during installation. The predominantly family-run businesses in the area are now heading into their second Christmas season without traffic flowing past their doors.

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Springwood Developments’ Bill Butler said he will be seeking compensation for all his tenants in court. They’ll be seeking damages for all the sales lost between Oct. 1st, when the bridge was supposed to open, and the date when it finally does.

“In combination with the economy, this is the perfect storm,” said Butler. “When we finally determine what the damages are, then we can make an application in court.”

The Municipal Government Act normally prevents businesses from suing the city for lost revenue because of construction projects. But that changes when there’s evidence of negligence, said Butler, citing legal opinions he’s sought. “When the girders buckled, that was clearly signs of negligence,” he said. “We’re of the mind there is liability.”