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Judge Will Rule Nov. 3 On Ambassador Bridge Case

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A judge in Detroit says he'll rule Nov. 3 whether the owners of the Ambassador Bridge are in contempt of his order to finish work on a project linking the crossing to Canada with two Detroit expressways.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Prentis Edwards held a hearing Wednesday.

In January, Edwards briefly jailed Detroit International Bridge Co. President Dan Stamper for failing to follow orders to demolish fueling stations and toll booths at the Detroit end of the bridge to Windsor, Ontario.

After being released, Stamper issued a statement saying: "MDOT bureaucrats are doing everything they can to stop our successful 80-year-old private sector business from building our new bridge with our own money. They will lose. End quote."

Michigan Assistant Attorney General Robert Mol said Wednesday that the company remains out of compliance with its state contract and won't be able to meet Edwards' Jan. 10, 2012, deadline to complete the work.

Company lawyer Craig John says it's obeying the judge's orders and will meet the deadline.

The Ambassador Bridge is owned by billionaire Manuel "Matty" Moroun who is seeking to build a second span across the river.

Read more on the bridge battle, here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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