Ga. bridge contractor disputes DelDOT allegations

DOVER, Del. — A company hired to perform geotechnical work for a new Indian River Inlet bridge is disputing allegations in a lawsuit filed by the state Department of Transportation.

Atlanta-based MACTEC Engineering issued a statement Monday denying DelDOT's allegations. It says DelDOT itself is to blame for many of the problems.

DelDOT filed a lawsuit Friday asserting breach of contract claims against MACTEC and Florida-based Figg Bridge Engineers. It also accused MACTEC of providing inaccurate and incomplete information about the bridge project. The previous design for the replacement bridge was scrapped in 2007 because underground soils supporting approach ramps were settling slower and deeper than expected, making the ramps unstable.