WAUKESHA – The Waukesha Common Council met Tuesday in closed session regarding SJ Louis Construction's ongoing lawsuit against the city.
SJ Louis Construction, Inc. of Rockville, Minn., sued the city in federal court in Milwaukee on Feb. 29, seeking nearly $28.16 million plus 12% interest per year on any amounts it says the city should pay had missed when due.
SJ Louis was the prime contractor for three of seven sections of the Great Lakes Pipeline Project. The company was contracted to construct more than 26 miles of water return pipelines according to plans and specifications submitted by the city. The lawsuit alleges that SJ Louis' work was “delayed, disrupted and altered by several factors that were beyond his control and beyond his control and beyond his knowledge at the time the project was tendered.”
On Wednesday, Waukesha City Attorney Brian Running told The Freeman that the lawsuit against SJ Louis “is proceeding in the usual manner and investigation is ongoing pending further mediation and dispositive motions.”
The city responded to the allegations in April. The city is asking for all lawsuits to be dismissed, saying many need “legal closure.” “The Great Lakes Water Pipeline Project was intended to provide an alternative drinking water solution to the city's well water supply, which is contaminated with radium, a naturally occurring substance. The project was completed in fall 2023 after more than 20 years of construction. An estimated $286 million was spent building pipelines to supply the city with water from Lake Michigan and returning treated water to the lake.
The City of Waukesha filed responses to SJ Louis' allegations, denying that the City improperly withheld compensation costs for revised designs and refusing extensions.
In this case, discovery – the exchange of information – is expected to last until September 2025.