Judge Tosses Lawsuit to Keep Highway 64 Open in St. Louis
Federal Judge Stephen Limbaugh has dismissed the lawsuit filed by Bill Haas to prevent the closure of Highway 64 in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Haas lawsuit alleged the Missouri Department of Transportation was in violation of federal law when it allegedly failed to investigate alternative ways to facilitate the construction without shutting down the entire highway. However, Judge Limbaugh determined Mr. Haas lacked standing and therefore dismissed the lawsuit.
Under Missouri and federal law, every plaintiff must have what is called "standing" in order to maintain a lawsuit. This includes being able to show that one has been injured from the alleged conduct. The Court found Mr. Haas failed to proffer any evidence that he would be damaged by the closure. The order stated “All plaintiff has done is assert some generalized claims of vague injury on behalf of the public at large and not himself.”
